Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Chimp in the family TV movie pits welfare vs. emotion.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Jennie Project
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE JENNIE PROJECT, an orphaned chimpanzee called Jennie goes to live with the Archibald family in the U.S.. There Jennie is taught American Sign Language (ASL) and becomes very much part of the family. But soon the Archibalds learn that their home might not be the best place for Jennie.
Is It Any Good?
If the intended message of this drama adventure is that having a chimp in the family is a massive headache, then it's heard loud and clear. The Jennie Project, an odd Disney Channel movie, is full of moments with Jennie the ape going wild in the house, chasing a mailman, and driving a truck. It tries to be fun but with the family's desperately depressed mother -- played by Sheila Kelley -- unable to smile and a father (Lance Guest) who doesn't understand this chimp isn't another daughter, it's an uncomfortable, bleak watch.
Kelley can't do anything but mope and moan with the material she's given, as the mother who seems to hate her life and is then landed with a chimp to look after. When she's dragging Jennie down to the basement to lock her up, Jennie finally displays some of that ASL they've been trying to hammer into her. Suddenly, after being dressed like one, she's starts to behave like a person, and only then is treated kindly. This message that respect has to be earned by changing your nature is as weird as the movie's tone. Even the mostly level-headed Dr. Prentiss (Sheryl Lee Ralph) is fine with Jennie being tried in court for crimes that could see her being "destroyed." It's nice to see ASL used in a movie but everything else in The Jennie Project is a baffling mess of odd messages from a miserable family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what The Jennie Project has to say about wild animals living in captivity. Jennie the chimp becomes an important part of the Archibald family but not without problems. What issues can arise from undomesticated animals living as pets or as part of the family?
Have you heard of anthropomorphism? Jennie gets treated with respect by the family when she learns to communicate so appears more human. Is this right or should she be treated in accordance with her species' needs?
Discuss the use of sign language. Do you or anyone you know use sign language? What benefits does it give you?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 13, 2001
- Cast : Alex D. Linz , Lance Guest , Sheryl Lee Ralph
- Director : Gary Nadeau
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Disney Channel Original Movies
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Run time : 76 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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