Samantha: An American Girl Holiday
Yes, we have another American Girl movie. The very first one the company ever made, actually, and the first one I ever watched. <3 Ah, sweet childhood.
Samantha Parkington (AnnaSophia Robb) is a ten-year-old girl growing up in Mount Bedford, New York, in the year 1904. She lost her parents when she was very young and lives with her prim grandmother (Mia Farrow) in a world of wealth and privilege. When her neighbors hire the O'Malley family, Samantha befriends the eldest daughter, Nellie, (Kelsey Lewis) much to the dismay of Grandmary's social status.
Shortly after, Samantha's Uncle Gard (Jordan Bridges) visits from New York City, bringing along a lady friend, Cornelia (Rebecca Mader) and announces their engagement. The couple asks Samantha to join them in New York, which she reluctantly agrees to and attends a new school in the city.
When Nellie's fathers passes away, she and her sisters are sent to an orphan's home in New York. When things begin to change for the worst, Samantha must decide whether she's to stand up for what's right.
I have loved this movie since I was a little girl. <3
The period costumes were to pretty and fascinating, and I feel like the fashion is more accurate than most movies made these days. The big hats to match the big hair, the lace dresses....Spot on, my friends.
I feel like AnnaSophia Robb did a much better job as portraying Samantha than the actress from the Felicity movie. She acted her age and brought Samantha's quiet but independent spirit to the screen with innocent grace.
Samantha's character is strong, but never pushy. Kind and open-hearted to anyone, without being overly-sweet as some children's movies come across. And her sad scenes were believable <3 Enough to break my motherly heart.
I thoroughly approve of her performance as the young girl from the books.
The other cast members were excellent, as well. Uncle Gard was just like I pictured him. (I confess as a six year-old-girl I had a crush on him.)
Aunt Cornelia was perfect, too. Despite being a suffragette. she doesn't strike you as an obnoxious feminist who thinks women should rule the world, and she keeps her views very low-key and polite. I didn't get nauseated watching her as I do with most suffragettes from films. (Yeah, I have no use for feminism. And as a twenty-one year old woman, I can say that.)
Grandmary did seem a little softer than the one in the books, but that didn't bother me. I always thought the character was a little stiff with Samantha.
Samantha does break the law in this story, but again, she has good reason, so I can't say I disapprove necessarily. I may even do the same in her place.
The story touches a lot on child labor and how terrible it was during the beginning of the 20th century, but they also keep it in moderation without playing it up like some movies do. That pleased me, too.
There is a factory scene where a young boy gets his finger stuck in a sewing machine. There is no blood or anything shown, but apparently some children are frightened by it. (Either I wasn't a normal child or kids these days are scared of everything.) That's all that I can recall!
In my personal opinion, this is a wonderful film that all girls should sit down to enjoy. (And when you do, appreciate the fashion at the wedding because it is soooo good.)
The acting isn't bad at all, (except the girl who plays Nellie) the historical accuracy seems well done, and although the story line is rather different from the books, its still quite good.
My Review: Five Stars ✩✩✩✩✩
I hope you young girls will give this heart-warming move a try! Until tomorrow then,
LaKaysha
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