Back when I was 10 or 11 years old, I read a lot of books and had a very active imagination — which fortunately compensated for my decidedly dull life. Summer vacations were excruciatingly long for me because nothing ever happened in my neighborhood. I surely would have given anything to dwell on a deserted island with my family, living off the land, befriending the wildlife, and generally having a blast.
That’s the basic premise of Nim’s Island, the 2008 children’s adventure film starring Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster, and Gerard Butler. It’s a pretty good one too, as viewers are immediately swept into Nim’s world with awe and wonder — and perhaps a healthy dose of envy as well.
Plot summary (with possible spoilers): Nim Rusoe (played by Breslin) lives with her father Jack (Butler) on a beautiful, deserted island in the South Pacific. Their existence calls to mind a modern Swiss Family Robinson, as they commune with the animals, swing across great distances on cleverly rigged pulleys, and generally live a carefree life. They get supplies from a ship that passes close (but not too close) by the island once a month, and don’t lack for anything.
One day Jack, a scientist, decides to go searching for some phosphorescent ocean algae that only appear once in a while. He wants Nim to accompany him as usual, but she begs to stay on the island so she can read her brand-new Alex Rover adventure book that has come in with the latest supply shipment. Jack relents, noting that he’ll be back in just a couple of days and can contact Nim via satellite phone in case of emergency.
Well, an emergency does crop up, though it’s Jack who ends up in trouble, not Nim. He gets caught in a terrible storm that damages his boat and leaves him lost at sea with no instruments or tools to help him return home. Meanwhile, Nim is growing increasingly worried about his absence — especially since a cruise ship captain has discovered the island and is intent on building a resort there, which would of course end Nim and Jack’s idyllic existence.
Fortunately, Nim has been corresponding with author Alex Rover (Foster), who had written to Jack for advice about a volcano on their island. When Nim tells Alex that her father is lost at sea and that she, Nim, is alone and injured on the island, Alex must overcome her extreme agoraphobia to travel halfway around the world in an effort to help Nim.
My Reaction: I actually liked Nim’s Island quite a bit, and my son enjoyed it as well. He loved all the parts featuring Nim and her animal companions, but didn’t quite understand the whole Alexandra/Alex Rover storyline. He didn’t know who “that guy” talking to Alexandra was, so I had to try to explain as best I could that the woman had an imaginary friend. He clearly lost interest whenever the action shifted to San Francisco or Alexandra, but I guess that’s understandable.
I, on the other hand, absolutely loved the Alexandra Rover parts. I used to be a huge Jodie Foster fan back in the late ’80s/early ’90s, but haven’t liked a movie of hers since 1997’s Contact. I felt she was perfect as Alexandra Rover: funny, believable, and likable, all while contributing significantly to the plot.
Speaking of the plot, well, I guess parts of it were a bit out there, what with an agoraphobic deciding to travel such a great distance to “rescue” someone she didn’t know and Nim’s pet pelican bringing Jack’s tools to him when he was out at sea, but whatever. It’s a children’s movie, so I didn’t go in expecting an airtight story!
Overall, Nim’s Island is a fun film that the whole family can enjoy. With solid performances from all three leading actors, some beautiful location shots, and exotic animals like a sea lion and bearded dragon, you won’t go wrong renting this title! I give it 7.0 stars out of 10.