The Jennie Project is a 2001 Disney Channel Original Movie based on the book Jennie by Douglas Preston. The movie stars Lance Guest as Dr. Hugo Archibald, Abigail Mavity as his daughter Sarah, and Alex D. Linz as his son Andrew. The movie is directed by Gary Nadeau.
The movie starts with Dr. Archibald returning home from his latest expedition with a new addition to his family of exotic animals, a chimpanzee named Jennie. While Dr. Archibald is busy with his work and travels, his wife Lea is left to take care of the family and the animals. Lea is not happy with the addition of Jennie, as she feels it is only going to bring more trouble to the already chaotic household.
However, Jennie is soon accepted by the Archibald children, especially Andrew, who develops a special bond with Jennie. Andrew teaches Jennie how to play baseball, read comics, and even communicates with her using sign language, which Jennie soon learns to understand and use.
Dr. Archibald brings in a sign language expert, Dr. Pamela Prentiss, to train Jennie. However, Dr. Prentiss is not impressed with the way Jennie is being cared for and feels that the family and their approach to training Jennie is a disgrace. She develops a confrontational relationship with the family, especially Andrew, who resents her interference with his bond with Jennie.
As the story progresses, Jennie becomes an integral part of the family, particularly for Andrew, who finds solace in her company. However, a tragic event forces the family to re-evaluate their priorities and the way they treat Jennie.
The Jennie Project is an entertaining and heartwarming movie that explores the relationships between humans and animals, as well as the importance of communication and empathy. It is a must-watch for animal lovers and families alike.