Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

2008 "Kit Kittredge, a resourceful young girl, helps her mother run a boardinghouse after her father loses his job."
6.5| 1h41m| G| en
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The Great Depression hits home for nine year old Kit Kittredge when her dad loses his business and leaves to find work. Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin stars as Kit, leading a splendid cast in the first ever "American Girl" theatrical movie. In order to keep their home, Kit and her mother must take in boarders - paying house - guests who turn out to be full of fascinating stories. When mother's lockbox containing all their money is stolen, Kit's new hobo friend Will is the prime suspect. Kit refuses to believe that Will would steal, and her efforts to sniff out the real story get her and friends into big trouble. The police say the robbery was an inside job, committed by someone they know. So if it wasn't Will, then who did it.

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Reviews

Manthast Absolutely amazing
Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.
CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.
SnoopyStyle It's the depth of the Great Depression in 1934 Cincinnati. Kit Kittredge (Abigail Breslin) wants to be a reporter for the Register and city editor Mr. Gibson (Wallace Shawn). Ruthie Smithens (Madison Davenport), Frances Stone, and Florence Stone are fellow members of the Treehouse Club. The Stones get foreclosed and the sisters have to move away. Ruthie's dad is the banker. Kit is donating to the soup kitchen when she sees her father Jack (Chris O'Donnell) as one of the unemployed. He has to go to Chicago to look for work while her mother Margaret (Julia Ormond) rents rooms in the house. The boarders include Mrs. Howard (Glenne Headly) and her son Stirling, dance instructor Miss Dooley (Jane Krakowski), mobile librarian Miss Bond (Joan Cusack), and magician Jefferson J. Berk (Stanley Tucci). Kit starts writing with the help of Ruthie, Stirling, and hobos Will Shepherd (Max Thieriot) and Countee (Willow Smith). When Ruthie's home gets robbed while her family is on vacation, Will becomes a prime suspect. Margaret's lockbox and all of the family's money gets stolen. Jefferson claims it to be Will.Abigail Breslin is great and her character is a real heroine. There are probably too many characters and too much story for a general kids movie. It's nevertheless a good old fashion coming-of-age adventure with some good messages for the little ones. It's one of the better family fare.
Willie-12 I was able to see this the other day with my child, and I must say I thought it was a decent little family movie. There were some very good lessons taught about acceptance of others, not giving up, and being happy with what you have in life. When it was over, I overheard a little girl say, "I want to see that one again." My child had the same reaction. The only complaint I have comes in the latter part of the film. Without going into details, it seems that the film unravels a bit during the third act. However, it recovers nicely, and hits the right emotional note at the end. Definitely one I'd recommend to parents and their children (both boy and girl).
georgebush Kit Kitredge, An American Girl is a classic. This film falls into the category of its a Wonderful Life, Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Grapes of Wrath. The acting is fine but not formal. The mother of Kit surely deserves an Academy Award. This mom is real and not just another self superior empty mom as played in an empty way in some family films like the mom in Drill bit Taylor. She is the opposite of the mom in Drill Bit Taylor. This mom in Kit Kitredge is wise. She has elegance but is also real in her struggles. This is a mom that anyone could look up to. She reminds me of the strong performances of Andy Griffith. Her final scene was one of the strongest acting moments in film history and I have seen over 8,000 films. She shows the full range of emotion and gives a performance reminding me of Claudette Colbert in the 1944 Since you went Away. The film also has a style similar to the live show Annie.This film moves at a fast enough pace to keep all ages happy. It reveals the era of the Depression with total respect for the people of the era. My family lived through the depression so I know this is authentic. It is a little like the old Nancy Drew but with tremendous involvement with all the characters. The film takes the high road in which moral decisions are clearly understood. There is also a mystery and it is interesting. All the acting is fine and there are a great variety of actors of all ages.. This film reminds me that movies are not suppose to be aimed at one particular age group in order to improve ticket sales. This is just a good old fashioned movie. Frank Capra would be proud of this film of the underdog against a series of obstacles. The only sad thing is that it has sold so few tickets. I suspect this film will linger for a long time and rent many DVDs. It is a film that could be shown to people many years from now. I highly recommend this movie. American girl refused to sell out their integrity in order to sell tickets. I hope American Girl makes more films. Great film.
vamomx2 While not being semi-prof. film critics,we know what we like and what is a good movie, worth your time and money. This is not a deep psychological study, but is an intriguing look at an era most people have long forgotten. The story is nimble and keeps your interest while being clearly told from a child's perspective. We all loved the cinematography and the period clothes, cars, etc. The story had universal appeal and was not so childish that adults couldn't enjoy it. It was a real pleasure to see many senior citizens in attendance (even w/o grandkids) as I suspect that they actually lived through the struggles outlined in the movie. There were enough twists and turns and plenty of good, moral messages for old and young alike. Another plus is the 90 min. length! Our family votes yes to taking your kids and your senior citizens as well.