Adoption Movie Guide: Chimpanzee

 When I asked my colleagues for adoption movie recommendations last year, I was interested – and skeptical – about the Disney Nature film Chimpanzee. It turned out to be relevant, though!

Narrated in the kid-friendly familiar voice of Tim “Buzz Lightyear” Allen, Chimpanzee follows a young chimp named Oscar. Oscar is loved by his mother Isha, but is separated from her when a rival band of chimps attack. Oscar’s life is spared, but he is now parentless in his tribe. He is chased away by other chimps and seems to be viewed as an annoyance. Eventually, though, Oscar finds himself in the good graces of Freddy, his tribe’s grumpy but loyal leader.

The Adoption Connection

A stork drops Lambert off, along with a bunch of baby sheep, into a herd of ewe. The stork tells each baby to pick the mother they like best. Lambert picks last, cuddling up to a ewe who is crying because no baby had picked her. The stork realizes his error and tries to take Lambert away, explaining, “Oh, that’s not a lamb. There must be some mistake.” He checks his list and realizes that Lambert was supposed to be delivered to Mrs. Leo Lion in South Africa. He explains, “I’ll take that viscous little brute and drop him in the jungle.” Lambert’s new mother defends him, and the stork quickly flies away, saying, “Oh, let her have him. I’m only a delivery service.”

Identity issues are prevalent in this film. Lambert wants to be a sheep. The sheep tease him because he looks and sounds different. Lambert hated to admit “that he was yellow through and through” (and not white like a sheep!)

Strong Points

Tim Allen explains that Oscar’s mother Isha “will do everything possible to keep her son safe.” He notes that her “patience never seems to run out.”

The tribe’s leader, Freddy, engages in nurturing behaviors towards Oscar. Tim Allen notes that some of these behaviors would only be done by a mother. This signifies that Freddy will adopt Oscar – he gives the first piece of food to Oscar and teaches Oscar how to hunt. The film shows that Freddy has “discovered a softer side that must have been there all along.” I like that Oscar will be able to thrive, and that he is accepted and embraced by the community. I also like that Freddy is able to be a positive, nurturing “adoptive father,” even though it was unexpected.  

Challenges and Weak Points

Oscar’s tribe of chimpanzees does hunt another species of monkey. They catch and eat the monkeys.

Isha is separated from the tribe by an attack from a rival tribe of chimpanzees. It is presumed that Isha has been eaten by leopards. This could be very traumatic for children who have lost, or lost contact with, their mothers. Tim Allen narrates that Isha “will never return.” It’s heartbreaking to realize that Oscar doesn’t know about his mother’s death. He spends considerable time searching for her, without success. Children watching this film who have been separated from their mother may connect with Oscar in these scenes. I can imagine the scenes being cathartic for some kids but confusing or even traumatizing for others.

 

Oscar eventually realizes that he needs to start thinking about his own survival. He is repeatedly rejected by potential mothers.  

The film seems to use the terms “adoption” and “foster parent” interchangeably. I could see it confusing some kids.

Recommendation

There are some parts of Chimpanzee that could be really challenging for some kids who’ve lost contact with their parents – or who have lost their parents to death. Oscar’s experience of repeated rejection could also resonate negatively with children who have been in multiple foster placements or disrupted adoptions. On the other hand, Chimpanzee speaks glowingly of Oscar’s mother and does show that Oscar ultimately finds family in an unexpected person. Because very young kids might not be able to deal with some of Oscar’s losses, I’d recommend this film for kids between the ages of 7-11. I also advise you to check it out before seeing it with your kids, to make sure that there isn’t anything in the film that would be too much for them. Chimpanzee could be especially positive for kids with a single adoptive dad or for kids who have experienced multiple failed placements but who have finally found a permanent home.

Questions for Discussion

How did Oscar feel when he tried to connect with Freddy?

What were the scariest parts of the movie? The saddest? The happiest?

What was Isha like as a mother? What do you think your birthparents were like? (This is a time to introduce and encourage positive responses!)

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