Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Directed by Patricia Rozema

Review by Lizzie

Actors: Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine), Chris O’Donnel, Joan Cusack

In A Nutshell: Kit Kittredge’s world revolves around a cozy treehouse (with windows seemingly designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) and her middle-class Cincinatti home. That is, until the depression hits hard. Suddenly, hobos stray around, her dad goes to Chicago, boarders move in, and she has to wear chicken feed sack dresses. These frocks, I must add, are most becoming! Intrepid kidlet that Kit is, she ceaslessly pursues a career in journalism and tries to solve the hobo burgler spree mystery in hopes of bettering the lots of her friends and family.

Three Words to Describe: Wholesome girl power

Indicative Quotes: “You know what you need . . . a novelette.” Mobile librarian Miss Bond to anal Mrs. Howard

Reason I liked It: It feels good to see a film that’s so honest to goodness. Like an apple pie, it’s sincerely sweet. Abigail Breslin is darling and Joan Cusack’s facial expressions make the movie. I demand that this woman be in more films, she’s a comedic gem.

Film made me feel: Like I wanted to be nine years old again, making secret passwords with the neighbourhood gang.

You’ll Like This Film if You Liked: Swiss Family Robinson, Annie, Dennis the Menace, Thanksgiving Specials on Television

The Verdict: Having gone to the epicentre of nutty consumerism that is the American Girl flagship store in Chicago (why yes, you can get a mani/pedi for your doll), I was expecting this film to be over the top tacky with a not so subtle motive of selling Kit doll accessories. How pleasantly surprised I was, to instead discover a film of rare quality for children, with good morals and a history lesson (if airbrushed) to boot. Sunday school or girl guide group worthy, it’s the antidote to Bratz culture.

Go See This Film With: Your seven-year-old niece. Or, do what I did, and bring your dear friend from university who, oddly, had two American Girl dolls sitting in her room (Molly and Felicity). I used to think Molly and Felicity were creepy; I’m reconsidering.