The Borrowers Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Tiny people squat in a regular-sized house, steal stuff, and then pull a ‘Home Alone’ on a greedy lawyer who just wants to build some luxury apartments because gentrification waits for no one.

🍿 The Borrowers: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the Clock Family

The Clock family, consisting of Pod, Homily, Arrietty, and Peagreen, are ‘Borrowers’ – tiny people who live secretly within the walls of a human household. They survive by ‘borrowing’ small items essential to their existence. Their world is one of ingenuity and resourcefulness, adapting human objects for their miniature needs. They live a peaceful life, carefully avoiding detection.

The Threat of Ocious P. Potter

The Lenders, the human family whose house the Clocks inhabit, face eviction due to the machinations of the villainous Ocious P. Potter, an unscrupulous lawyer. Potter intends to tear down the house to build luxury apartments. His efforts to secure the property put the Lenders, and unknowingly the Borrowers, in grave danger. The peaceful world of both families is disrupted, leading to a fight for survival.

Friendship and Alliance

Pete Lender, the young son of the family, discovers the Clocks. Initially surprised, he forms an unlikely friendship with Arrietty. Realizing the threat Potter poses to both families, Pete decides to help the Borrowers. This alliance between human and Borrower becomes crucial in their fight to save their home.

Desperate Measures and Adventure

As Potter closes in, the Borrowers and Pete embark on a series of daring adventures to thwart his plans. They navigate the human-sized world, facing perilous challenges and using their unique size to their advantage. The Clocks and Pete work together to find the missing will that proves the Lenders’ ownership of the house.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ocious P. Potter (John Goodman): The ruthless and greedy lawyer who seeks to destroy the Lenders’ house to build luxury apartments.
• Pod Clock (Jim Broadbent): The cautious and resourceful father of the Clock family, dedicated to protecting his family from the human world.
• Arrietty Clock (Flora Newbigin): The adventurous and curious daughter of Pod and Homily, who befriends Pete Lender.
• Pete Lender (Bradley Pierce): The young boy who discovers the Borrowers and becomes an ally to Arrietty and her family.
• Exterminator Jeff (Mark Williams): The bumbling exterminator hired by Potter to get rid of the ‘pests’ in the house.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Peagreen Clock: “Great, just great. I’ve been outside for two minutes and I’m covered in POO…” – Peagreen says this when he encounters bird poop shortly after venturing outside.
• Ocious P. Potter: “I’m going to squash you like bugs!” – Potter exclaims this to the Borrowers as he ruthlessly pursues them, highlighting his malicious intent.
• Arrietty Clock: “Borrowers don’t steal, we borrow!” – Arrietty says this, defining the Borrowers’ code of conduct and justifying their actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $29,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $22,619,589
• Worldwide Gross: $22,619,589

💥 The Borrowers Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing ‘The Borrowers’ as a kid and being completely captivated by the idea of tiny people living in our walls! The special effects, for the time, were pretty cool, and the scenes where they’re navigating everyday objects felt so imaginative. John Goodman’s over-the-top villain definitely added to the fun. While the movie might not be a cinematic masterpiece, it brings back a lot of nostalgic feelings and reminds me of the joy of childhood imagination.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with children”
  • “Fans of fantasy adventure films”
  • “Viewers who enjoy special effects and creative set design”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild peril and cartoon violence”
  • “Brief moments of suspense”
  • “Potentially frightening villain for very young children”

Professional Reviews

• Variety Film + TV: “While the effects are charming, the story feels underdeveloped. Goodman provides a broad performance as the villain, but the film lacks depth to fully resonate with older audiences. Still, the visual imagination is sure to keep children entertained, making it a worthwhile family watch.
• Gazettely: “The film beautifully evokes childhood fantasies. However, the mix of British and American elements creates a bizarre, timeless setting, either adding to its charm or being confusing. The whimsical atmosphere provides fun and escapism for those willing to suspend disbelief.

Audience Reactions

Viewers love the creative sets and props that bring the world of the Borrowers to life.: Most audience members agree that the film is a fun and imaginative adventure suitable for family viewing, despite some plot inconsistencies.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted family film with inventive visuals and a charming premise, though some find it lacks depth and strays from the source material.

Awards

1. BAFTA Film Award (Best Special Visual Effects)- 1998

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During filming, the producers announced that ‘The Borrowers’ was the biggest family film to be shot on UK soundstages since ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’.”
• “The film blends elements of both Britain and North America, featuring technology and products from different eras, creating a unique and somewhat ambiguous setting.”
• “Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis both declined to direct ‘The Borrowers’ because of its crude humor.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Borrowers?

The Borrowers (1997) is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your local listings for streaming options, as availability may vary by region. Digital purchase options offer convenience for repeated viewing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Borrowers, you might like these similar films:

• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989): Features a similar theme of miniaturization and explores the challenges of navigating a larger-than-life world.
• The Indian in the Cupboard (1995): A child discovers that he can bring a toy Indian to life, blending fantasy with real-world consequences.
• Stuart Little (1999): Features a small, anthropomorphic protagonist navigating a human-sized world, blending adventure with family themes.
• Arrietty (2010): This Studio Ghibli animated film is another adaptation of ‘The Borrowers’, offering a different visual and storytelling approach to the same source material.

🛒 The Borrowers Related Products

• The Borrowers (1993) BBC Mini-Series: This adaptation is often praised for its faithfulness to the source material and its charming British aesthetic.
• The Art of Arrietty: This hardcover book showcases the beautiful concept art and animation from Studio Ghibli’s adaptation of ‘The Borrowers’. It features detailed character designs, background paintings, and interviews with the creators.
• Morris Minor Model Car: A diecast model of the classic British car featured in ‘The Borrowers’, the Morris Minor is a nostalgic tribute to the film’s quirky aesthetic. The detailed replica captures the vintage charm of the vehicle.
• Micro Figures – Small Figures – Tiny Figures: A set of assorted mini figures to mimic the size and stature of the characters and bring to life any diorama.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Borrowers features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Weird” – performed by Hanson

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

VFX Were BETTER in the 90’s. Prove me wrong.

Ever wonder if those ’90s special effects actually hold up? Corridor Crew takes a deep dive into ‘The Borrowers’ VFX and honestly, some of their points are pretty spot on. Check it out and see if you agree!

Tom Felton Behind The Scenes Of “The Borrowers”

Want to see a baby Tom Felton goofing around on the set of ‘The Borrowers’? This super rare behind-the-scenes footage is a total throwback and kinda adorable, even if the quality is potato. Definitely worth a watch!

✨ Rate