ACTORS are often warned about working with children and animals. I reckon that Oscarnominated child star Abigail Breslin and the menagerie of creatures in Nim's Island should have been warned about acting with Jodie Foster when she's trying to do comedy. The results are stomach-churning.

She's Alex Rover, author of a series of adventure books whose hero bears her name. The truth is that the real Alexandra Rover is agoraphobic (and a lot of other phobics) behind the closed doors of her city apartment.

On the other side of the globe, young Nim (Breslin) lives on a desert island with her mad scientist dad (Gerard Butler) and exotic animal companions.

When her father goes missing she summons help from her favourite author - Alex Rover - by email (and I can't begin to guess how she charges her laptop on an island seemingly without electricity).

For reasons known only to the writer, Alex decides to leave home to answer Nim's SOS. Cue Foster falling over, being sick, looking alarmed on board a plane, being sick, looking alarmed again on board a boat, being sick. Each reaction is overplayed until it's not funny, just embarrassing. Husband and wife directing team Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett should have told her that less is more in comedy.

Youngsters may be more charitable than adults towards this movie.

The best performance comes from Nim's companion Fred the bearded dragon (played by no less than five of these lizards). He's funny and dramatic. Ms Foster, take note.

Stars: Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler
Running time: 95 mins
Rating: Two stars