Chronicling a success

Ambreen Noon Kazi reviews an entertaining children's adventure that draws in as many adults as kids.

The spiderwick chronicles
Director: Mark Waters
Cast: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte
Making headway in a genre that is dominated by the Harry Potter series is not easy, but the latest kiddie release, The Spiderwick Chronicles, manages to shine with powerful imagination and plenty of heart.

The Grace family — mother (Mary-Louise Parker), sister Mallory and twins Jared and Simon (both roles played by Freddie Highmore) — leave New York and move into a secluded old house owned by their great, great uncle.

Jared discovers a hidden book which illuminates an invisible world of magical creatures, most of whom are not friendly. Not paying heed to caution, he opens the book and unleashes a new world of danger upon his family.

Goblins, hobgoblins, fairies, sprites and all manner of magical creatures abound and the three siblings (with a little help from a few 'good-guy' mythical creatures) try to fix things.

Adapted from the series of children's novels by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, the story's similarities in feel and action to Harry Potter are unmistakable. However, where the latter focuses on spells and magic, this one draws more on personal bravery and courage.

Highmore is one of the most talented child actors in the industry and much like his previous roles (Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), keeps the dialogue and action moving effectively with his supreme acting. For Chronicles he takes on an American accent which he delivers perfectly.

Compact, well on cue and action packed, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a must see for kids. It is also a delightful watch for the adventurous child in the grown up!

60-second Profile: Freddie Highmore

Born: February 14, 1992

- Background: Born Alfred Thomas Highmore in London, UK to a show business family. His mother, Sue Latimer, is a talent agent whose clients include Daniel Radcliffe and his father, Edward Highmore, is an actor. He has a younger brother named Albert born in 1995.

- First seen: Highmore began acting with small parts on TV at the age of 7.

- Real claim to fame: In 2004, he had a major breakthrough with his critically acclaimed performance as Peter in Finding Neverland. In 2005, he played the part of Charlie Bucket in the blockbuster film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Highmore has also appeared in August Rush with Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Robin Williams

- Moments: Highmore has received several nominations and awards for his role in Finding Neverland and August Rush. In 2006 he won the Broadcast Film Critics Association Award to Best Young Actor for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Margot at the Wedding
Director: Noah Baumbach
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black, John Turturro
When the trailers for Margot at the Wedding first hit the internet, it seemed like a quirky, self deprecating analysis of human failings presented through a light (if edgy) script.

The emphasis seemed to be the film's "funny" quirkiness. The final cut on screen is, in that regard, hugely disappointing.

Nicole Kidman plays Margot, a short-story writer who leaves Manhattan to attend the wedding of her teacher sister, Pauline (Jennifer Jason Leigh), at the run-down family home in the Hamptons.

Margot hasn't seen her sister in years, disapproves of Pauline's choice of unemployed slob Malcolm (Jack Black) as a husband and hurts her own son Claude (Zane Pais) with scathing remarks. She also wants to leave her husband and son to start a new life with her author lover.

The film is all about the dialogue and moves between Pauline's and Margot's bantering, Malcom's over-the-top blubbery humour, with plenty of plain old psychosis tinged with absurd (and at times) disconcerting humour.

Though both Kidman and Leigh are winning praise from critics for their performances, the neurotic sister's brand of family dysfunctionalism is disturbing.

Margot as a Monster Mother makes the viewer cringe more than she amuses and Claude's hope of finding himself outside his mother's shadow seemed doomed to failure.

Verdict: If you're looking for a feel happy film... keep looking!

- The writer is an afficionado of film