Great movie to debut Abbie as a lead

Jodie Foster wanted to make it clear that this was Abigail's movie and therefore she would receive top billing over the screen legend. Abigail carried the movie with such ease. Before Nim's she was taking on mostly supporting and minor roles. Even though it's a movie for families, it doesn't mean it's not a good movie to showcase the talent. Gerard was Gerard and it was a perfect role for him as a scientist-oceanography-sailor and an Indiana Jones-style adventure hero. Jodie Foster however, she's done better work. Comedy and family movies aren't her cup of tea and you can see her inexperience in the genre throughout the film. I enjoy Jodie's work in other films, but not so much this one. Abbie played Nim perfectly from the book. Nim was smart, resourceful and since she was growing up on an island, loved the nature on the island and its creatures. But she was also just a kid and didn't act like a 30 year old in an 11 year old's body. That's something that always manages to separate Abigail from Dakota Fanning. Dakota is mature and when she was Abigail's age just a few years ago, also thought of as very precocious, Abigail is as mature as her own age but still manages to balance her maturity and smarts with being a kid. Even though scary moments happened on the island, she still took them on alone, something Alexandra envied yet admired in the book.

If this film doesn't impress you with Abbie, try 'My Sister's Keeper' next year with her in yet again another lead as Anna. Another book with a deep and very well developed character she is taking on.