Bookworm Parent Guide

Despite her mother, Zo’s (Morgana O’Reilly) busy work schedule and safety concerns, precocious 11-year-old Mildred (Nell Fisher) managed to arrange a cross-country camping trip to look for the legendary Canterbury Panther. There are no panthers in New Zealand, but several people claim to have seen one out in the back country, and the wildlife service has posted a $50,000 reward for video footage of the critter.

When Zo is electrocuted and falls into a coma, it looks like the trip is going to have to wait. But with no one else to look after her as she recovers, Mildred’s absent biological father flies in from Vegas. Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood) is a magician (although he prefers to be called an illusionist), and it seems apparent within seconds of their first meeting that the two could not have less in common. Unfortunately for Strawn, Mildred is both smarter and much more stubborn than he is, and despite his better judgement, soon finds himself agreeing to tag along on her expedition for the panther.

This is an endearing little movie, carried by Nell Fisher’s loquacious performance as Mildred and Elijah Wood’s portrayal of a dim yet good-natured first-time father. The movie is focused on their developing relationship as the two learn to understand the other’s perspective and work together. There’s a nice balance between touching, heartfelt moments and barbed banter, which keeps the movie from getting overly sweet.

Parents don’t have all that much to worry about with this, although it might be worthwhile to remind your kids not to eat any mushrooms they find in the woods, no matter how confident they may be about identifying fungi. There are also some pretty visceral scenes of injury for a family film, and perilous situations that are likely too much for younger viewers. Bookworm does not have an MPA rating, but I’d peg it somewhere between PG and PG-13. I wouldn’t show it to a six-year-old, but middle-schoolers will be just fine – if they’re interested.

I think a bigger problem is going to be the pacing, which runs a little slow. The film is tilted more towards the conversations between Strawn and Mildred, and less towards the moments of action in pursuit of the panther. I think that’s a good call, but it might feel a trifle sluggish to more energetic kids. They’ll at least relate to Mildred’s enthusiasm to get out into the wild – just remember. No mushrooms.