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NIM’S ISLAND (PG) The Bambi Effect is in full swing in this tale of isolation, imagination and adventure. Following the death of her mother, young Nim (Abigail Breslin) and her scientist father (Gerard Butler) move to an uninhabited island to spend the rest of their days absorbed in biological research. While dad goes on scientific excursions on the ocean, Nim whiles away the hours with her pals, a sea lion, a pelican and a lizard.
On one particular expedition on the sea, a storm prevents Nim’s father from returning and the child is left to her own defenses as severe weather and outsiders invade her island space. And like any bright, 21st century child, she turns to the internet for help. And help eventually arrives in the form of Alex Rover, her pulp- fiction hero. Enter author Alexandra (Jodie Foster) who manages to travel to the remote island and find young Nim, but, once there, has little to offer in the way of survival skills or solace.
A children’s story, with some high points, but way too many low spots to be recommend very highly as a good children’s story. The death of the mother within the opening credits is enough to worry most children immediately, and the residual sadness can ruin the story for many. The island paradise is great, but the isolation, seems a very lonely existence for a young child.
Mary K. Morgan is a member of the St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association. |
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