The Borrowers (1997)
Synopsis:
The four-inch-tall Clock family lives secretly inside a house occupied by the normal-sized Lender family, carefully "borrowing" everyday items like thread, safety pins, batteries, and food scraps to survive. Their hidden world works in peaceful harmony until the villainous lawyer Ocious P. Potter steals the will that grants ownership of the house, plotting to demolish it and build apartments in its place. When the Lenders are forced to move out, the tiny Clock family—including parents Pod and Homily, along with their children Arrietty and Peagreen—faces the terrifying prospect of being discovered by the normal-sized world. This family adventure follows the Clocks as they navigate enormous dangers and work to save their home from destruction, proving that even the smallest heroes can make the biggest difference when their way of life is threatened.
Where To Watch: The Borrowers
Parental Feedback
The Borrowers blends lighthearted family adventure with moments of mild peril as tiny characters navigate a normal-sized world. Parents should expect a fast-paced story that balances whimsical humor with some tense sequences involving the threat of home demolition and exposure of the miniature Clock family. The tone remains playful overall, though younger viewers may find certain chase scenes and the villain's schemes moderately intense, while the fantasy premise and creative visual storytelling keep the atmosphere engaging and imaginative throughout.
Why Kids Should Watch The Borrowers
This family adventure offers several appealing elements that make it worthwhile viewing for children.
The imaginative premise of four-inch-tall people living secretly alongside normal-sized humans sparks creativity and wonder. Children will be captivated by the inventive ways the Clock family uses everyday objects like thread, safety pins, and batteries in their miniature world.
The story emphasizes family unity and courage as the Clock family works together to overcome challenges. Pod, Homily, Arrietty, and Peagreen Clock demonstrate how cooperation and loyalty help them face the threat posed by the evil lawyer Ocious P. Potter.
The adventure elements provide excitement without becoming overly frightening. The quest to stop Potter from demolishing the house and exposing the Clocks to the normal-sized world creates engaging tension that keeps young viewers invested in the outcome.
The cast delivers memorable performances that bring the fantasy world to life. John Goodman's portrayal of the villainous Ocious P. Potter and Jim Broadbent's Pod Clock anchor the story with humor and heart that appeal to both children and adults.
Why Kids Shouldn't Watch The Borrowers
Parents may want to consider a few potential concerns before viewing.
The villain's schemes and the threat of home demolition may create anxiety for sensitive children. Ocious P. Potter's plan to destroy the house and force the Lenders to move introduces themes of displacement and loss that could be unsettling for younger viewers.
Some chase sequences and moments of peril might be intense for very young children. The risk of the tiny Clock family being exposed to the normal-sized world creates suspenseful situations that could frighten children who are easily scared by danger.
The presence of an exterminator character and the overall threat to the Clocks' safety adds a layer of menace. While handled with a family-friendly approach, these elements introduce conflict that may be too stressful for the most sensitive viewers in the target audience.
Verdict: Parent Approved
The Borrowers earns approval as an imaginative family adventure that balances whimsy with mild tension, making it suitable for most children while offering enough creativity and heart to engage the whole family.
What Parents Should Know About The Borrowers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this Movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Yes, the Clock family demonstrates cooperation, resourcefulness, and loyalty as they work together to protect their home and way of life. |
| Does this Movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | Yes, the threat of losing their home and being exposed to the normal-sized world creates tension that may worry sensitive children. |
| Does this Movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | Yes, the villainous lawyer Ocious P. Potter's greedy schemes ultimately face opposition from the heroic characters working to stop his destructive plans. |
| Does this Movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | Yes, the Clock family's survival depends on working together and peacefully coexisting with the Lender family through careful borrowing rather than stealing. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | Yes, the story emphasizes that family unity, courage, and ingenuity can overcome even the most daunting challenges from larger, more powerful adversaries. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
Parents generally appreciate The Borrowers as an entertaining family adventure that successfully adapts the classic story of tiny people living secretly in a human home. Many note that the imaginative premise captivates children's attention while the themes of family cooperation and standing up to bullies provide positive messages. Some parents caution that the villain's threatening behavior and certain chase sequences may be too intense for very young or sensitive children, recommending it for kids who can handle mild peril. Overall, families find it to be a creative, well-acted adventure that balances humor with heart, making it a solid choice for family movie night with children who enjoy fantasy stories.
Official The Borrowers Trailer
Why Kids Love The Borrowers
The Clock family's tiny size turns everyday objects into wild adventure playgrounds. When they're forced to navigate the normal-sized world, simple tasks become thrilling obstacle courses filled with near misses and creative escapes using borrowed items like safety pins and batteries as tools.
The chase scenes ramp up when evil lawyer Ocious P. Potter threatens to demolish their home, sending the four-inch-tall family scrambling through walls and floorboards. Pod, Homily, Arrietty, and Peagreen Clock must outsmart both Potter and an exterminator, turning their miniature perspective into clever advantages during fast-paced pursuits.
The Clocks transform ordinary household items into cool gadgets and escape vehicles, making every borrowed scrap into something useful for their daring rescue mission. Their problem-solving skills shine as they race against time to save the Lender family's house from destruction.
The action builds to wild rollercoaster moments as the tiny heroes crash into oversized obstacles while standing up to the greedy Potter. Their teamwork and unique size help them fix problems in ways normal-sized people never could, proving that being different makes them perfect for saving the day.