I frequently go to Christian Spotlight On Entertainment when I’m considering a movie to view. My wife and I rented a movie titled Nim’s Island and found it to be quite good. What prompted me to write a review was the depiction of Agoraphobia in the film. I am a novice reviewer and it’ll show as you read this. I thought it was important to do though, as so often Hollywood misses it when they depict mental illness. They also do a great job in other instances. Either way, I hope they choose to print my review.
My wife and I rented this movie last night and really enjoyed it. The movie was filmed in a clever way and the acting was great. Abigail Breslin was excellent as Nim as she reminded me of the talents of Dakota Fanning. As usual, Jodie Foster did quite well, although this isn’t usually the type of film you see her in these days. Her character is quite a contrast to the strong woman she portrays so well.
I would like to bring up an issue with the movie and the review that has not been discussed at all.
The movie goes out of its way to portray Alex Rover (Jodie Foster) as a woman who is dealing with OCD and Agoraphobia. The review describes her character as a ‘phobic recluse.’ She then goes on to say this regarding fear.
‘For those who struggle with fear, whether as severe as Alexandra’s or not, we have reassurance in 2 Timothy chapter 1 that God did not give us a spirit of timidity (or fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.’
In the movie Alex has been housebound for sixteen weeks and can’t work up the nerve to go to her mailbox. This is a very bad case of Agoraphobia that is depicted. Being a person who has suffered with this mental illness for many years I was a bit let down that the movie went out of its way to show how Alex was nothing like the hero she writes about, using Agoraphobia to make the point.
The reality is that a person such as Foster’s character doesn’t simply decide to leave the house, go to an airport, board a plane, and then to a distant part of the world. I won’t mention all of the other things she does along the way as she reclaims or as some say, finds herself.
It is a heroic thing to depict but it really misses big time on the reality of a person suffering with Agoraphobia. If only it was that easy…
The reviewer then goes on to use a verse that has been misapplied in relation to Christians who suffer with Agoraphobia or other mental illnesses that involve fear. It has been shown that Agoraphobia and other mental illnesses are illnesses just as real as cancer or diabetes. So much research is being done in this area that should allow Christians with a mental illness not to be ashamed or think they are a spiritual failure.
I know the film and the author of the review would not in any way seek to misrepresent mental illness and I have no axe to grind. I will admit this is a topic close to my heart, so I’m a bit sensitive about what I read or see.
I appreciate all you do to let us know what we might be getting into when we go to the movies. God bless!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
—Allan, age 54, USA
Filed under: Agoraphobia, Anxiety, Christianity, Media, OCD- Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder
