Film/DVD Review

The Last Mimzy

Film Company: New Line Cinema

Director: Bob Shaye

Principal Actors: Chris O’Neil, Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, Timothy Hutton, Joely Richardson, Rainn Wilson, Kathryn Hann

Film Release Date: March 23^rd 2007

Film Length: 90 Minutes

3 ½ Stars

Reviewed By: Kindah Mardam Bey

I understand why this film was so hard to find a clear synopsis on prior to seeing it; The Last Mimzy is enigmatic to say the least. It is a science-fiction film based on a short story by Lewis Padgett and perhaps a short film might have done this story more justice. Two children, older brother and younger sister, find a mysterious box on their beach front cottage one holiday weekend and hide their new precious find from the parents (Hutton and Richardson). The children discover that the box, looking both ancient and uber-new age is filled with items that all seem a mystery autonomously, but also have a connected purpose to each other. Also discovered in the box is a raggedy stuffed rabbit, heralding images of one Velveteen Rabbit. The little sister (Wryn) takes to the rabbit as any child would, and discovers that the Rabbit speaks to her and calls itself Mimzy. What unravels is a story that shows our connection as human beings and how we are not tapping into our potential, which will one day render our lives in jeopardy.

As I watched this film I asked myself, was The Last Mimzy a good film for young adults? What category does this fit into? After all, E.T. seems a little ‘over the head’ for kids, but it was my favourite film growing up, as it was for millions like me. Perhaps The Last Mimzy could fall into the same category as E.T.? But it seemed really creepy and scary and eerie at times. When the rabbit speaks to the little girl it has the essence of Poltergeist with the little girl in front of the white noise TV evoking the mantra ‘There here.’ Plainly, at times it seemed a little too far towards scary and less towards a mystery to be discovered. At times it felt like the message the story was trying to relay ended up awash, as did the performances and character arc for most of the actors. Richardson and Hutton show great concern for the children’s safety, but we never know what the true family dynamic is and why this family in particular should be singled out to get the last Mimzy.

Standout performances were easily found in the oddball science teacher played by Rainn Wilson (the geek in The Office TV show) and his new-age hippie girlfriend played by Kathryn Hann. Both were hilarious and together they made a brilliant combination. They should definitely be cast opposite each other in more films as they had a harmonious comedic balance.

Overall, The Last Mimzy seemed to be short story that deserved to be a short film, but when lengthened to a full-length feature, filled up the space with ideas from E.T., Escape To Witch Mountain and other films about children in unusual circumstances. My recommendation would be to see those films referenced before this one.