ROB MINKOFF

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBB. 

Germany/USA, 1999.  Columbia Pictures Corporation, Franklin/Waterman Productions, Global Medien KG.  Screenplay by M. Night Shyamalan, Greg Brooker, based on the book by E.B. White.  Cinematography by Guillermo Navarro.  Produced by Douglas Wick.  Music by Alan Silvestri.  Production Design by Bill Brzeski.  Costume Design by Joseph A. Porro.  Film Editing by Tom Finan.  

What could be more adorable than a talking mouse outfitted by The Gap? Michael J. Fox winningly voices the little mouse who is adopted by a couple (Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie) looking to give their son (Jonathan Lipnicki) a sibling in this deliciously whimsical adaptation of E.B. White’s popular children’s book. Stuart fits right into the family life the moment he gets there, but trouble comes when he meets the family cat (Nathan Lane), and is then kidnapped by mice pretending to be his parents (beautifully voiced by Jennifer Tilly and Bruno Kirby). Davis couldn’t be more radiant as the caring mother of the family; her scene with Stuart getting accidentally taken for a spin in the rinse cycle of the washing machine is actually quite touching. The only drawback is that the film goes from charming Babe-like brilliance to silly cat-and-mouse chases in the second half of the film, but the incredible visual effects that make Stuart not only come to life but live and breathe as well as any good actor on screen make it very worthwhile viewing for any age.

Academy Award Nomination:  Best Visual Effects