4 stars****
Jodie Foster just has to be one the best actors currently working. I may have to add the word ‘ever’ to that phrase soon, or perhaps I should already before she’s even reached fifty. She works in an elite group, along with Jack Nicholson and Michael Caine; you know their performance on screen will be completely incredible, at worst.
Foster brings another side of her acting quality to this film; comedy, which she doesn’t get to use very often in her high drama movies.
Abilgail Breslin marks a brilliant position in taking the lead role in this film. She has already turned over the ten film mark before reaching her teens, and will be pleased to observe that Ms Foster’s movie making route took a similar course.
Nim, looks for assistance from the author of her favourite adventure book series when her father, a scientist, goes missing. Nim lives on an island in the South Pacific. Alexandra Rover, the author (as in Alex Rover whom Nim thinks is a man) is living in San Francisco and suffers from agoraphobia. The writer overcomes her fears and sets out to look for Nim while Nim attempts to overcome her fear of losing her father. It’s a film for all ages so everything will be okay in the end. It’s a Hollywood movie!
The film is suitable for all ages; my 5 year old enjoyed it and while she wasn’t scared, she was slightly worried at some parts of the film.
It moves along at a good pace; the animals are marvelous in their co-staring appeal. They’re particularly helpful when a ship full of tourists try to borrow the private island.
Nicely photographed throughout, the editing is excellent as is the script which brings the package together nicely for the marketing people.
The only reason it gains just three stars is because it tries to appeal too much to all ages. The end comes too quickly and too easily. We almost missed the formulaic ‘ooh-er’ moment just before the end. However, Jodie Foster is wonderful, in case you didn’t get that first time.
The update is here
Popularity: 11% [?]
July 7th, 2008 at 2:44 am
Dr Starling move over – I found Jodie Foster’s next movie Oscar-winning role! Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor who wrote “”My Stroke of Insight”" and delivered a talk about it on TED.com that will knock your socks off! The video’s been seen 5 million times and I understand why.
Taylor was a Harvard trained brain scientist who suffered a massive stroke. I don’t think we’ll ever hear a story like this – Taylor understands how the brain functions and she was able to observe her mind deteriorating. She writes about the euphoric nirvana and a sense of complete peace and well-being she discovered in her stroke! She talks about this in her incredible (don’t miss it) talk on TED.com. The book is great too – highly recommended. You’ll learn how to ‘step to the right of their left brain’ to uncover a deep internal peace. Sign me up!
July 8th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Looks good; you should send a note to Ms Foster with your recommendation. I don’t have her email to hand…