The
Borrowers (1998)
Based on the classic children's novel of the same
name, this film is a delightful mix of story, characters,
imagination and spectacular special effects. The film
has been made for TV at least twice before (US - 1973,
UK - 1993) but here it benefits from a larger budget
which allows for computer generated special effects
(as well as the regular kind) which brings the unusual
story to life.
For those not in the know, The Borrowers are little
people (less than 6 inches tall) who live in the homes
of regular folks and "borrow" little items from them
which they use to get by. For example, a borrower might
borrow a thimble to use as a drinking cup. Like the
sci-fi films about shrinking men and women which has
come before it, this film has fun with special effects
which make the world of regular sized items seem huge
around the borrowers. This makes the film cool to look
at as the special effects are rarely less than perfect.
It's fun to watch, for example, a rollerskate with a
paint can be used as a race car. Also fun is the costuming
by Marie France which finds the small characters supporting
rags and pieces of discarded material as costumes. The
mother of the Borrowers, for example, wears a watch
for a belt.
Playing the Borrowers are Jim Broadbent (who has lost
a ton of weight) and Celia Emrie as the parents, who
really take backseat to the cute and headstrong Flora
Newbigin as Airietty, Tom Felton as the loveable and
wide-eyed Pea Green and Raymond Picard as Spiller, a
handsome and clever street urchin. The young Borrowers
constantly upstage their supposedly full size counterparts
including Bradley Pierce as young Pete, John Goodman
as a shyster lawyer, Mark Williams as Exterminator Jeff,
and Hugh Laurie as a cop. The only person who steals
the film for a single moment from them is Ruby Wax in
a humorous cameo.
Goodman has a blast as Potter an evil rascal who tries
to steal a house away from a young family only to discover
he has to do battle with "The Borrowers" for it. He
has some really amusing scenes where the little people
get the best of him (a scene where he gets electrocuted
is a highlight). His finale, which lasts well into the
closing credits, is also a lot of fun for all to witness.
Goodman finally plays an amusing role where his talents
can be used to the fullest. It's a treat to watch him
get taken advantage of here.
Director Peter Hewitt ("Tom and Huck," "Wild Palms")
finally gets an opportunity to show what he can accomplish.
He not only has a classic story, an awesome cast and
a great script, he brings a cinematic vision to the
piece. Coupling the 1940's Art Deco look with the modern
world, Hewitt brings us a place where people drive period
cars yet have cell phones. It's an usual and fantasy
filled world he creates and we have no trouble accepting
the warmth and the beauty of the place.
Like the novel on which it is based, this film version
of "The Borrowers" is destine to become a classic. It
appeals to old and young alike and offers us a vision
of a place where people, of all types and sizes, find
that they can live together in harmony and work together
for the common good. That's a pretty good lesson from
a Hollywood film made in the late 90's.
Note:
Script by John Kamps, Gavin Scott, based on the novel
by Mary Norton.
Music by Harry Gregson-Williams. Hans Zimmer is credited
as Score Producer. The only pop song included is over
the end credits, Hanson's "Weird."
Review written in 1998
|
Report
Card
Script:
B+
Acting: A
Cinematography\Lighting: B
Special Effects\Make Up: A-
Music: C
Final
Grade: B+
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