Nim's Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nim's Island |
|
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by |
|
| Produced by | Paula Mazur |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Starring | |
| Music by | Patrick Doyle |
| Cinematography | Stuart Dryburgh |
| Editing by | Stuart Levy |
| Studio | Walden Media |
| Distributed by |
|
| Release date(s) | April 4, 2008 |
| Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country |
|
| Language | English |
| Budget | $37 million |
| Money made | $100.1 million |
Nim's Island is an exciting adventure film from 2008. It was written and directed by Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin. The movie is based on a popular children's book by Wendy Orr. The story is about a brave young girl who lives alone on a faraway island. She needs help from a writer in San Francisco who is afraid to leave her house. As the writer tries to overcome her fears to find Nim, Nim also faces her own fear of losing her dad. The film stars Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster, and Gerard Butler. It was released on April 4, 2008, by 20th Century Fox. The movie earned over $100 million worldwide.
Contents
Story of Nim's Island
This section tells you all about what happens in the movie Nim's Island.
Nim's Island Home
Nim is an 11-year-old girl. She lives with her dad, Jack Rusoe, on a beautiful island in the South Pacific. Her dad, played by Gerard Butler, is a marine biologist. This means he studies ocean life. Nim's mom, Emily, passed away when she was young. Nim has some amazing animal friends on the island. These include Selkie the sea lion, Fred the bearded dragon, Chica the sea turtle, and Galileo the pelican.
Jack's Ocean Trip
One day, Jack goes on a two-day science trip. He needs to find a new type of tiny ocean creature called plankton, which he named Protozoa nim after his daughter. Nim convinces him she can stay on the island by herself. She needs to be there because Chica the sea turtle's eggs are about to hatch! Nim and Jack plan to talk using a satellite phone.
Nim and the Author
Nim loves the "Alex Rover" adventure books. These books are written by an author named Alexandra Rover, played by Jodie Foster. Nim gets an email from "Alex Rover" asking about her dad's work. Nim thinks it's from the brave explorer in the books. But it's actually from the author, Alexandra! Alexandra is a very nervous person who is afraid to go outside (this is called agoraphobia). She imagines she is talking to her fictional hero, Alex Rover, who is also played by Gerard Butler. Nim and Alexandra start emailing each other.
Trouble on the Island
Jack's sailboat gets caught in a big cyclone (a type of storm). He can't come back to the island when he planned, and he can't talk to Nim. Galileo the pelican helps Jack by bringing him things he needs to fix his boat. Meanwhile, sharks start swimming around Jack's boat. Nim tells Alexandra that her dad hasn't returned. Nim feels helpless because she can't even open her own door easily.
Unexpected Visitors
Some rude tourists visit the island on a cruise liner called The Buccaneer. Nim thinks they are pirates because of the ship's name. She tries to make the island seem unwelcoming. She catapults lizards onto the shore and makes a fire in the volcano crater. She also rolls boulders down the slopes to make it look like the volcano is erupting. But she accidentally causes a real eruption! The tourists quickly leave in their boats. One boy, Edmund, sees Nim and catches up to her. He is confused to see her there, and Nim tells him she lives on the island. He tells the other tourists, but no one believes him.
Alexandra's Journey
Meanwhile, Alexandra bravely overcomes her fear of leaving her house. She travels all the way to the island to help Nim. Nim expects "Alex" to be the strong male character from the books. So, at first, she doesn't want to be friends with Alexandra. But later, they share a meal and become friends.
A Happy Ending
The next day, Nim gets sad. She thinks that if her dad were still alive, he would be back by now. But luckily, Jack finally reaches the island! He arrives by windsurfing on a boat he made himself. Jack and Alexandra meet. Alexandra is amazed that Jack is just like the hero she imagined in her books. The movie ends with everyone playing happily on the beach, using a coconut as a ball.
Main Actors and Characters
Here are the talented actors who brought the characters of Nim's Island to life:
- Abigail Breslin as Nim Rusoe, the brave girl living on the island.
- Jodie Foster as Alexandra "Alex" Rover, the author who is afraid to go outside.
- Gerard Butler as Jack Rusoe, Nim's dad and a marine biologist. He also plays the imaginary Alex Rover.
- Anthony Simcoe as First Mate
- Alphonso McAuley as Russell
- Morgan Griffin as Alice
- Michael Carman as the Captain of The Buccaneer.
- Christopher Baker as Ensign
- Maddison Joyce as Edmund, the boy who sees Nim.
- Peter Callan as Edmund's Father
Movie Music
The music for Nim's Island was created by the famous composer Patrick Doyle. He recorded the music with the Hollywood Studio Symphony in February 2008. The song played during the closing credits is "Beautiful Day" by the band U2. The movie's soundtrack CD was released on April 8, 2008.
Return to Nim's Island
A second movie, called Return to Nim's Island, came out in Australia on April 4, 2013. It was also shown on the Hallmark Channel in the U.S. on March 15, 2013. The DVD was released shortly after. In this sequel, some of the actors changed. Bindi Irwin played Nim Rusoe, and Matthew Lillard played Nim's father, Jack Rusoe.
See also
In Spanish: La isla de Nim para niños
