Review of Project Nim (2011) by Adler N — 20 Feb 2012

Little is known of whether there is enough sympathy for animals, especially those we dearly care for. In this case, Nim the chimpanzee is not the star of the show, but the unsung light that constantly guides us.

A documentary of how a chimpanzee possesses the ability of sign language (and ultimately language itself) is told here in extremely engaging fashion. Nim, oh, Nim. The chimp is bound to reverberate throughout our minds, minutes, hours or even days after watching him tussle around with delight, fury and sadness.

Anyone can be a sucker for animals, even the hardest ones. This documentary eases the connection of the viewer with the subject at hand with a series of interviews, perfectly detailing the story of Nim when necessary. The whole movie starts with his birth, of how Nim is taken away from his mother. You would think this is sad, but wait... there is more, way more emotions in this than one can expect, even from James Marsh who gave us the profound Man on Wire.

The story is focused not so much on its chronology; it basically takes place in the 70's, where "hippies" roam evidently. A group of scientists are assigned to study Nim, and how he learns to communicate using hand signals (eat, hug, play, drink). Together, we see how much Nim strives for excellence, growing to be more linguistic by the day. But as much as Nim improves, he meets setbacks. It is as if Marsh, the director, is smart in playing with our emotions. Every time there is joy and progress, Nim somehow loses grip of his caretakers, and we are forced to grief for him.

But these bouts of differing emotions are what make a documentary stand out. The point is to make us feel, to make us think of the profundity of certain things. And Nim (or rather, the entire film) is brilliant at setting the right tone: not too sweet, not too sour. If he could talk (and boy, do we wish he could), it would not really matter much. The movie is superb at what it aims to do, to center on Nim, as a being capable of thought and emotions, regardless of whether he is more human than animal or vice versa.

A fine depiction of questions, Project Nim is subtle, direct and best of all, too damn eye-opening to miss.

Personally*... Caesar, anyone?