Mary Norton’s 1950s children’s stories about a diminutive family (the “Borrowers” of the title) are adapted here into a delightful family film.
Jim Broadbent is in good form as Pod, the father of the tiny Clocks, who live beneath the floorboards of an old house, and John Goodman delivers a large slice of ham as the unscrupulous full-sized lawyer who intends to demolish their home.
To survive, the four-inch-tall Clock family “borrow” everyday items from the human Lender family who live in the house – things such as safety pins for climbing hooks and postage stamps for wall art.
Young Pete Lender (Bradley Pierce) accidentally catches Pod and his adventurous children, Arrietty (Flora Newbigin) and Peagreen (Tom Felton). Unlike most humans, Pete becomes their friend and ally.
Their peaceful existence is shattered when the Lenders’ aunt, Mary Alabaster (who owns their house) dies, and ruthless, corrupt lawyer Ocious P. Potter (Goodman) schemes to demolish the house to build luxury apartments.
Potter steals Mary’s hidden will, meaning the Lender family must vacate their home and leave the miniature Clock family behind.
When the Clocks are accidentally separated during the move, they discover Potter’s scheme. Armed with the knowledge of where the real will is hidden, the tiny Borrowers embark on a high-stakes, dangerous journey through the big city to stop him – with the help of the independent street-smart urban Borrower, Spud Spiller (Raymond Pickard).
Potter hires an eccentric exterminator (Mark Williams) and a vicious bloodhound to hunt the Borrowers down inside the abandoned house, leading to a series of elaborate, Home Alone-style traps and chases.
Peter Hewitt (Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey) directs with a lightness of touch, and the cast features a host of British comedy talent, including Hugh Laurie, Mark Williams and Celia Imrie.
Overall, though, it’s the clever special effects that steal the show from the cast (miniature or otherwise).
Ocious P. Potter
John Goodman Pod Clock
Jim Broadbent Homily Clock
Celia Imrie Arrietty Clock
Flora Newbigin Peagreen Clock
Tom Felton Spud Spiller
Raymond Pickard Pete Lender
Bradley Pierce Joe Lender
Aden Gillett Victoria Lender
Doon Mackichan Exterminator Jeff
Mark Williams Officer Steady
Hugh Laurie Town Hall Clerk
Ruby Wax Dustbunny
Andrew Dunford Minty
Bob Goody Swag
Patrick Monckton Milkman
Dick Ward Chauffeur
George Yiassoumi
Director
Peter Hewitt
Video
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To survive, the four-inch-tall Clock family “borrow” everyday items from the human Lender family who live in the house – things such as safety pins for climbing hooks and postage stamps for wall art.
When the Clocks are accidentally separated during the move, they discover Potter’s scheme. Armed with the knowledge of where the real will is hidden, the tiny Borrowers embark on a high-stakes, dangerous journey through the big city to stop him – with the help of the independent street-smart urban Borrower, Spud Spiller (Raymond Pickard).
