Greetings,
I have had several people tell me that I should take a stab at writing children's books. Their reasons as to why vary, but where they have common ground is that they do not listen to a word I say. I'm pretty sure I have made it clear to them, many times, that I am not a kid person. I don't hate kids or anything, but I just don't do well with most of them. And if a person writes a book, they usually want it to become popular, in turn, causing their reading audience to become fans of the writer, maybe even wanting to meet them. Hence, kid books, kid fans. No can do. And I'm not even an agoraphobic...as far as I know. So, why am I bringing this up? Well, stay tuned as we discuss Nim's Island.
Nim's Island is a 2008 family adventure film that apparently Disney had nothing to do with. Hard to believe, because it actually feels a lot like those live action films they did back in the 60's. Anyway, the movie begins with some brief but interesting animation as 11-year-old Nim, played by the adorable Abigail Breslin, narrates for us. I don't even mind that it's basically an info dump exposition, since what you're seeing on the screen is done so well. She tells us the story of how her parents were oceanographers and that her mother, Emily, died, having been swallowed by a blue whale. Or so her father tells her. Nim's father, Jack, played by Gerard Butler and the main reason I went to see this in the theater, takes her to live on an isolated island that no one even knows about except them. So, you can just do that? Apparently. And it's a nice island, especially after they build their big shelter and add a satellite phone...and internet service! What the heck? Can you do THAT? Although, no mention of indoor plumbing as I can recall, so, no. But Nim is also friends with the animals, Dr. Doolittle style, giving them all names and whatnot. Speaking of animals, let me point out the elephant in the room. Yes, I am jealous of this little girl who gets to live on a deserted island with Gerard Butler. I can't be the only woman who feels this way. Moving on.
Fortunately, there happens to be a cargo ship that comes by periodically, which Jack and Nim go out to meet on their boat, in order to get supplies that they can't provide for themselves. One of those things is books. We see Nim become overjoyed as she receives the new Alex Rover book. Alex Rover is a character who goes on exciting and dangerous adventures. Her imagination comes alive as she reads, and we see the scenes played out where she casts her own father as the hero. Symbolism? Eventually, her father must go out in search of a new plankton, and he reluctantly leaves her alone for a few days. Okay, then. Well, she does have to be midwife to a turtle, so...there you go.
Cut to San Francisco where we meet Alexandra Rover, played by Jodie Foster. She is the writer of the Alex Rover novels. Yes, her name is Alexandra Rover and she named her character Alex Rover. That does seem strange, and it is strange. But it does play into one of the plot points in the movie. Anyway, Alexandra is a bit neurotic. When I say "a bit", I mean A LOT!! She does not leave the house, only eats canned soup and her best friend appears to be hand sanitizer. And she has some writer's block as she can't figure out how the hero will escape his latest predicament. She needs to get info about volcanoes and finds an article that Jack wrote. She sends an email, which Nim answers, as she believes she is speaking with Alex Rover the adventurer, and they begin a friendly correspondence. Now, I have to admit, I wasn't really feeling Jodie Foster in this role, at first, probably because I'm not used to seeing her in comedies. But, after a while, she grew on me, and I think she did a pretty good job.
Around this point, the lives of all the characters begin to go in directions that they could not have imagined. Things beyond their control start occurring, causing them to come to terms with the strengths and weaknesses they never knew they had. It's almost a coming of age story for all of them, even the adults. Nim begins to really grow up, seeing that the world is not just the paradise her father has created for her; Jack sees that he cannot protect his daughter forever, no matter how hard he tries; and Alexandra realizes that she has to stop living her life through the character and world she created and just live it for real. It's a good story.
As I said, I saw this in the theater, and it was worth it. A lot of the visuals were really beautiful, especially the shots done underwater. Still, whilst seeing it on the big screen enhances it, it still looks good on television. I think the creativity of what they did carries over quite well.
This is just a really good family movie that the kids will like, but the adults will, too. That is not easy to do, though it might seem to be. There is an actual plot, not just stuff happening, and the characters are quite likable, enough for the audience to really root for them. That's an important aspect of any movie. Here, they all have something to overcome, and you want them to do so. So, I say check out Nim's Island, if you haven't already. It's a pleasure to watch, even if you're a grown up.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
