Project Nim

PG-13

Released Jul 8, 2011

1 hr. 39 min.

Documentary

List

97%

146 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In the 1970s, professor Herb Terrace and his team raise a baby chimp as a human child, as part of an experiment intended to break the language barrier between animals and people.

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Critics Consensus

Equal parts hilarious, poignant, and heartbreaking, Project Nim not only tells a compelling story masterfully, but also raises the flag on the darker side of human nature.

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Thomas M

The best documentary movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/22

Full Review

jon c

A chimpanzee can teach us the meaning of being human Director James Marsh helms the story of Chimpsky, a baby chimp separated from his mother and other siblings at a young age in 1973 Communicating with a chimpanzee became a landmark experiment and Stephanie Lafarge does just that just coming out of Columbus University Her daughter Jenny Lee even shared her insight on the whole experience It's rocky at first but that's all part of it; things like this take time to develop that special bond This documentary explores the language humans share with animals but with Nim it's all about establishing a relationship based on sign language Nim wasn't a pet but treated like an actual member of the family He could sense others feelings but also be kinda mischievous Yet as an animal he's still capable of going wild at any time, Nim would get temper tantrums and go on a rampage Nobody keeps a chimpanzee fit more than 5 years because they can be very unpredictable with their strength and behavior This ape would test the nature vs nurture hypothesis making headlines and media coverage By the 1970s Nim's attitudes started to change drastically and extra precautions had to be taken Chimps are like us being very hedonistic The documentary is shocking, beautiful, awespiring, warm, and tragic There's a bond between man and animal that is fascinating to learn about despite all its shortcomings No one says it'll be easy as it takes patience, commitment, dedication, tolerance, and authority Nim is a unique case study because he's more than just a wild animal and shows how we all treat animals attempting to avoid the darker side of human nature

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Movie made me angry. The psychologist should have been caged.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

adam b

An amazing documentary with a revolutionary true life study. Quite heartfelt as well

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Good but infuriating documentary. There's a deep irony in these humans trying to investigate an animal's capacity for higher functions while they themselves fail to plan or communicate properly or be self-aware.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/10/18

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is on like any other documentary, very intellectually simulating.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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James Marsh

Director

Bern Cohen

Dr William Lemmon

Reagan Leonard

Stephanie LaFarge

Anna May Marsh

Signing Girl

Dennis Lauricella

Beefy Guy

Robert Nesi

Beefy Guy

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

This is a compelling and engrossing film but, like I said, it's not pretty, and it will break your heart. It broke my heart and, I'm not going to lie, I full-on wept.

Aug 31, 2018

Full Review

David Rooney

Hollywood Reporter

This haunting life story is an exquisite example of non-fiction filmmaking as full-bodied, emotionally complex drama.

Jan 4, 2012

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

There is no question Nim was exploited for human gain, yet there are important aspects which Marsh leaves unexplored.

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 9, 2011

Full Review

Eve Tushnet

Patheos

The filmmaker doesn't actually hold these foolish humans' emotions, longings and aspirations in contempt...

Jul 1, 2021

Full Review

Dustin Chang

Floating World

Nim is obviously a sentient being and also a wild animal. While not making a villain out of just one person, Marsh reflects on how we tend to treat animals in general. It's a heartbreaking doc and one of the year's best.

Mar 21, 2021

Full Review

Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

Sleek editing and a wealth of archival footage unveil a sad, and thought-provoking tale of humans overstepping their reach in the name of science without regard to the well being of other living creatures.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 19, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

In the 1970s, professor Herb Terrace and his team raise a baby chimp as a human child, as part of an experiment intended to break the language barrier between animals and people.

Director: James Marsh
Executive Producer: John Battsek, Andrew Ruhemann, Jamie Laurenson, Nick Fraser, Hugo Grumbar
Screenwriter: Elizabeth Hess
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Red Box Films
Rating: PG-13 (Drug Content|Disturbing Images|Some Strong Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 8, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $410.1K

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