The Borrowers (PG)

Charming screen adaptation of cute book.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: USA Films
  • Directed By: Peter Hewitt
  • Release Date: 11/01/1998
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: PG

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film has no inappropriate content for kids, but there are some thrilling action-packed scenes and a bit of comic-style violence.

Families can talk about what makes this film so fun, and compare it to Mary Norton's book. There's a lot of imagination here, and families can use this film as a jumping point to create their own imaginary stories set in worlds where anything is possible.

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Nell Minow

Based on Mary Norton's delightful book about the tiny people who live in houses and "borrow" foraged items (thus explaining why no one can ever find anything) THE BORROWERS follows the adventures of the Clock family, Pod, his wife Homily, and their children Arietty (played by the adorable newcomer Flora Newbigin) and Peagreen. They live in the home of the aptly named Lenders, until an unscrupulous lawyer named Ocious Potter (John Goodman) has them evicted so that he can tear down the house and build an apartment building. In 83 fast minutes the Clocks find a way to survive Potter and his exterminator, get separated and then reunited, meet up with long-lost friends, and, with the help of the Lenders' son, save the day for both families.

Is it any good?

4
The Borrowers is lots of fun and well worth watching. Mary Norton's beloved children's book is charmingly translated to the screen here. The art direction is sublime and the performances are utterly engaging. Children will want to watch the movie a second time just to identify all of the items used by the Borrowers for clothes, furnishings, and equipment.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5


Posted on 04/16/08 by garfield2711 Adult contributor
3

Posted on 02/20/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5


Posted on 04/16/08 by garfield2711 Adult contributor

Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

3

Posted on 02/20/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13
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