Whose Island Is This Anyway?

Nim’s Island had my expectations high (fabulous cast, exotic location, storybook-inspired cinematography) and my hopes way up (one of the best trailers I’ve seen so far this year: http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/nimsisland/trailer/) for a great couple of hours. I’m going to get my complaint out of the way first: the movie just stopped. Just as I was getting into the storyline, a rushed ending came into play. I was startled when the end credits began, and even stayed in the theater for a moment, waiting for another scene to interrupt. Sadly, a terrific beginning led to a lacking end. I will not spoil it for those who haven’t seen it, but I will go as far as saying it left me wanting more: more explanation into Foster’s character’s debilitating agoraphobia (what caused it?) her choice to become an adventure novelist in the first place (never explained) and the magnificent likeness of Nim’s father to Alexandra Rover’s imaginary counterpart (she doesn’t even react!!!). The film’s unfinished quality and bulk of missing scenes (do not expect to see Nim swordfighting the pirate, it is in the trailer but never appears in the film) leaves me to wonder if the film’s editors dropped one of the film reels on the floor of the cutting room by mistake.
Now that my complaints are through, it’s time to gush: a great film for kids and fans of the ever-smoldering Gerry Butler, Nim’s Island at the very least takes the viewer to a fun fantasy adventure for the quite short hour and 36 minutes. The brevity of the film aside, the adorable animal friends and quirky characters will stay with viewers who thoroughly enjoy a good family film.
One thing that absolutely fascinated me (and I wish there was more of) was Alexandra Rover’s inner dialogue and relationship with Alex Rover, her, suffice it to say, imaginary friend. He is always with her, embodying every aspect of her personality that she herself is unwilling to display. It is a study in psychology, for certain. I am reminded of some of the works of author Charles DeLint. In several of his stories, he depicts a character named “Christy,” a man who, when he was 7 or 8 years old, had part of his personality split away from himself, leaving him with his own traits that define who he is. Years later, Christy discovers that the traits he lost were so strong that they became another person altogether, a woman who calls herself Christiana. Where Christy is shy, contemplative, patient, and reserved, she, his “shadow self”, embodies all the feminine, seductive, fiery, short-tempered, passionate, and hasty traits he had shed in childhood. The male vs. female qualities of this pairing, along with the stark contrast of personalities is shockingly similar, and I adore the depiction that when a human being comes into their own, they may choose, or even subconsciously decide, to either inherit or disavow the parts of themselves that they can be. In the case of DeLint’s characters, the split is permanent and whole, and Christy and Christiana become like siblings, understanding each other in ways no one else can. In the film, Alexandra’s cast-off traits of heroism and masculinity are a product of her own imagination, and she faces the choice of either keeping them separate or absorbing them into herself, creating a complete sense of self and what she is or isn’t capable of.
I understand that delving into the fascinating psyche of Alexandra vs. Alex was something quite impossible for the filmmakers; this isn’t a drama, it is a family adventure/comedy. Told through the eyes of the child Nim, Abigail Breslin is borderline annoying at times, but Jodie Foster stretched herself as a physical comedienne and definitely did not disappoint. Gerry Butler’s interpretation of Alex was spot-on and really fun to watch, whereas his portrayal of Nim’s father had me a bit confused: what kind of accent was he trying to do? American? Australian? Some weird Scottish mix of all three? When Butler sticks to the language of the British Isles, his performance is felt, not his phony accent.
All in all, Nim’s Island is fun and lighthearted, with a few giggles, and a heartwarming story. However, so much is left unsaid, so much of the plot completely missing, I’m left with the decision to hang a Vacancy sign over the hat: the rabbit went on vacation and possibly was swallowed by a whale, but I won’t explain why or how and leave you completely frustrated about it.