FINDING NEMO

4 Stars – Wholesome

Pixar Animation Studios has a history of making classic animation films that touch our lives on many levels and “Finding Nemo” is no exception.  This film is a classic family story filmed in a beautiful and groundbreaking digital format.

Nemo (voice of Alexander Gould) is a young clownfish who lives with his father in the Great Barrier Reef.  One day on an outing with his school of fish, Nemo is captured by fishermen who deliver him to Australia where he ends up in the aquarium in a dentist’s office.

Nemo’s ever-cautious father, Marlin (voice by Albert Brooks) sets out in panic to find his lost son, overcoming his own fears to risk his life for the one he loves.  Along the way, a comical cast of other fish, turtles and sharks helps Marlin.  Meanwhile, young Nemo meets a new set of friends in his aquarium home, and they plot how they can outsmart their dentist owner and return to the sea.  And, like most Disney films, they all live happily ever after.

Although Nemo is the center of the story, many of the lessons to be learned are from the perspective of the parent.  Marlin, like many of us, allows his own fear of the world to actually put his son at risk.  Marlin sees the glassy sea as half-empty rather than half-full.

Marlin sets out swimming in all directions in his panic over not being able to protect his son from the clutches of a fishing boat.  True to form, his fear prevents him from seeing that there is help all around him. 

As often happens, the “angel” fish that comes into his life to swim alongside him is seen by Marlin as more of an annoyance than a help.  To admit his need for help would be a sign of weakness.  And yet, to everyone around him, he is screaming out his weakness.  Marlin’s angel is a forgetful fish named Dory (voice by Ellen DeGeneres) who adds the perfect comedy touch to a serious story.

There are many others who join in the search for young Nemo, but it is Nemo himself who learns an important coming of age lesson.  During this time of trial, he comes to know what it means to be discerning, trustful, and courageous.  And, in the end, it is his self-confidence that teaches his father how to let go of his own fear - not a bad lesson for the millions of children who will see this movie to learn.

Adults could make the mistake of dismissing this film as children’s entertainment, but they would miss the great lessons that it shares with the young at heart.  The media, outside of the family, rivals religious institutions for control of the hearts and minds of the next generation.  And, unless a parent is going to retreat with his or her family into the wilderness, a child is going to be shaped by hundreds if not thousands of hours of media-based values training.  Here is a chance to talk with your children about the love of a parent for a child, the dangers that they face, how they make choices in friends, and how powers greater than ourselves watch over and protect us.

 

Discussion:

1. When Nemo is captured and taken prisoner, those of us who are parents identify with the pain that is experienced when a child is taken prisoner in some way – boxed in by an addiction or peer group.  Recognizing that the world is a dangerous place, how do you think parents can best protect their children?  If Marlin is over-protective, what is the right amount of protection?
2. When Nemo decides to escape he is helped by an angelfish who risks his own life.  Do you think freedom from our enslavements requires help or can we do it on our own?  What kind of help is most effective?
3. In the “12-Step meeting” of the sharks, they are attempting to change their behavior and no longer eat other fish.  The implication is that sharks eating fish is simply an addiction that needs to be stopped.  Do you agree?  Do you believe God created the world such that the animals will not devour one another (lion laying down with the lamb) and this is part of the “brokenness” of our world?  Can and will sharks be changed?
4. At the very end of the credits when the scared little fish that escaped from the sharks devours the “monster from the deep,” what lessons are being taught to children?  Is it only humor or is it empowering children that their small size doesn’t matter?  Is this message true?

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Cinema In Focus is a social and spiritual movie commentary.  Hal Conklin is former mayor of Santa Barbara and Denny Wayman is pastor of the Free Methodist Church. For more reviews: http://www.cinemainfocus.com.