‘Kit Kittredge’: A charming ‘American Girl’ movie
Here it is: the cheapest thing you can get that says “American Girl” on it.
“Kit Kittredge: An American Girl” is based on the book of the same name by Valerie Tripp, and produced by the American Girl company, which also makes the immensely popular dolls based on characters like Kit. Three made-for-TV movies were already produced, based on other American Girl characters, in the past four years. Now, the company has produced a full-length film, and the results are surprisingly palatable.
KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL
Three stars (Out of four)
Rated: G
Abigail Breslin, Stanley Tucci, Joan Cusack, Jane Krakowski, Chris O’Donnell
and Julia Ormond star in Patricia Rozema’s film about a spunky young girl
fighting to save her family and friends in Depression-era Cincinnati. Now playing at area theaters.
Kit Kittredge, played by Abigail Breslin, is a precocious 9-year-old girl growing up in Depression-era Cincinnati. When she isn’t busy practicing her skills as an aspiring newspaper reporter, she can be found indiscriminately befriending stray dogs and young hobos. The Depression seems removed from her own life; it is something she reports on, rather than suffers from.
But when hardship hits her own family and her father (Chris O’Donnell) has to leave town to find work, she and her mom (Julia Ormond) pull together and even take on boarders to make ends meet. When a string of robberies strikes close to home, Kit relentlessly searches out the truth in true journalist fashion, in hopes of saving her family.
An all-star cast lends the film a little pizzazz and keeps the storyline from choking on its own wholesomeness.
Joan Cusack, Stanley Tucci, Wallace Shawn, Jane Krakowski, Glenne Headly, Colin Mochrie ... one wonders, what are these people doing in this movie? I’m still not really sure. But I’m glad.
Breslin (of “Little Miss Sunshine” fame) is unsurprisingly wonderful, delivering the role with ease and earnestness. Cusack (“In & Out”) makes her character her own and is laugh-out-loud funny. Jane Krakowski (“30 Rock”) and Stanley Tucci (“The Devil Wears Prada”) are typecast per usual — in roles where they can shine appropriately. Less impressively, but still effectively, Julia Ormond (“Legends of the Fall”) is the picture of sympathy and sacrifice as Kit’s mother, and Chris O’Donnell (“Batman & Robin”) makes for a predictably handsome, earnest, devoted father.
It’s all a little predictable, contrived and even reminiscent of “Annie”; it is nothing innovative, that’s for sure. The treehouse, the secret club, the red herring, the Thanksgiving reunion scene ... it’s a formula.
But it’s one that works, for a children’s film. It is sincere and sweet and wholesome and a little bit hokey — and lovable for those very reasons. Most importantly, the story is essentially what a kids’ movie should be — educational and moral, as well as fun. Maybe kids will actually learn something about American history if they see this film. It may not involve the ridiculously high levels of action or violence kids have been overexposed and even desensitized to, but I think younger children and preteens will still genuinely enjoy the film. Their parents should find it more than tolerable, with an occasional laugh-out-loud moment.
As a role model for young girls, in particular, “Kit” should be a character we welcome with open arms. She is the typical “American Girl”: sweet, selfless and generous, but also intelligent, ambitious, honest and independent. These are some of the most desirable qualities one could ask for in a girl, boy or any person, really.
These characteristics make Kit a brilliant example for girls — especially compared to the
overly made-up teens littering the media (even the Disney channel) these days, who one minute bat their eyelashes and trill formulaic pop songs, and the next, show up naked on the Internet. At the very least, Abigail Breslin is a role model for girls who is actually a girl — not an irresponsible near-woman.
Despite its historical setting, Kit’s story is extremely relevant today. It may encourage us to be more resourceful and less greedy, especially as our own times become economically and environmentally tenuous. Compared to most kids’ films out there, which beckon us to buy, buy, buy, this one might actually encourage appreciating what you have. Then again, it will undoubtedly also make girls clamor for overpriced American Girl products even more loudly.
Still, in all its endeavors, be it books, movies or dolls, the American Girl company aims to “encourage girls to embrace their dreams.”
Well, of all the ways to make money, it’s one of the more honorable.
