The Fox and the Child

Movie review by Joly Herman, Common Sense Media
The Fox and the Child Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

Stunning story of friendship shows the magic of patience.

G 2007 92 minutes
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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 17 reviews

Kids say

age 7+

Based on 5 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Stands out for and .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this extraordinary family film does something that few movies can do: it takes a modern child and places her in the natural world without losing believability. The child's relationship with the fox does border on obsession, and there are moments where she is in peril, but she learns a valuable lesson that will ring a bell with viewers of all ages. There is a scene near the end of the movie that might be shocking and distressing to younger or more sensitive viewers where the fox is seriously injured. Parents might want to preview this scene before sharing with younger kids.

Community Reviews

Skartz
Skartz Adult
November 29, 2020
age 8+

Beautiful, fairytale-like with a hard but true lesson

Beautiful and a lovely slow, gentle pace. A message about experiencing and appreciating the beauty of the natural world. The end is upsetting but can be handled properly for sensitive children. I told my sensitive animal loving child what would happen and warned her that the scene was coming. I explained what I was seeing while she sat away from the screen. She came back to see the end. We discussed that making friends with wild animals puts the animals in danger, especially to the biggest danger that is humans. We can love from afar and show our love by protecting natural areas.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Yaker
Yaker Adult
March 18, 2020
age 12+
Please read the notes about the dramatic ending. I didn’t and my 9 year old was very upset and sobbing at the final scene. The film ends not long after this dramatic scene leaving younger children not enough time to process. Beautiful scenery.
See all 17 parent reviews

What's the Story?

A familiar voice of a narrator (Kate Winslet) recalls a period of time in her childhood when she befriended a fox. As she explores the spectacular countryside near her home in the mountains, she uncovers a world of mystery and peril right under her nose. In order to even spot the fox, the girl (Bertille Noel-Bruneau) spends days upon days outside exploring and observing. As the months pass, she discovers her fox friend's habitat, its perils, and joys. And just as she gains the fox's trust, she learns a painful lesson about what it means to be a good friend.

Is It Any Good?

Exploring nature at its breathtaking best, this movie will delight all animal lovers. Shots from inside of a fox's burrow, of hedgehogs playing and otters skulking in the stream, of bears hunting and wolves prowling, will mesmerize kids of all ages. Adults will appreciate the artistry of Luc Jacquet, March of the Penguins' creator, whose skill in capturing the natural world is unparalleled. Not only does the movie succeed in taking the viewer out of the technology traffic jam that is modern life, but it creates a shift in the heart of the audience member. It lets us believe that with enough patience and willingness, we can become so close to nature that we can be part of it again. And that is magic, indeed.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • When was the last time that you were totally immersed in the natural world? Can you spend as much time outdoors as the girl in this movie does? What does she gain by being outside so often? What is she missing?

  • The child feels that she has truly become friends with the fox at one point. Is she fooling herself? Or are there different types of friendship? Do you have friends other than the kids your age? How do these friendships feel?

  • The breathtaking scenery in this film seems so unreal. Why is that? Is there a forest or field or national park near you? When was the last time you visited and just sat in the grass and listened to the sounds around you?

Movie Details

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