Nim's Island

We saw the new movie starring Jodie Foster and Gerard Butler called Nim's Island. I was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining it was. Kids' movies usually bore me. This didn't.

It was told mostly from the viewpoint of Nim, a little girl who lives on island with her biologist father. Her dad goes off to find plankton or some such microscopic thing, leaving Nim alone. A storm strands him far away and Nim e-mails for help to "Alex Rover" an author whose adventure books she loves.

Alex turns out to be "Alexandra," a woman who is agoraphobic. The only thing that bothered me a bit about this movie was Jodie Foster's seriousness and intensity. This is a fantasy/comedy, and it needed a lighter touch. I always admire Jodie's acting, but here it was just TOO MUCH. Alex goes off the rescue Nim, which really required a stretch, as true agoraphobics really need therapy to leave the house, as I understand it.

Abigail Breslin was wonderful as Nim. She has an un-forced non-cutesy style of acting that is such a joy to watch. So many child actors seem fake and snotty to me. This child seems real.

Gerard Butler makes my heart race. Wowza. The only thing I didn't like about him in this was his American accent, which kept sounding a wee bit Scottish. He had dual roles as Alex's father and Alex Rover, which was cute.

I also noticed that Nim and her father have the last name "Russo." Rhymes with "Crusoe," as in "Robinson." Classics, anyone?

When I saw the previews for this movie I thought it was about a child in mortal danger - I didn't realize it was such a comedy. The "danger" Nim fears is an Australian cruise ship full of tacky people who invade her beach. Encroaching development is not as fearful as she seems to think, in my book.

Any child over age 6 or thereabouts will like this film. Even if you're not into kiddie films or don't have kids, check this out, for Gerard Butler if for no other reason...