Under the direction of Patricia Rozema (Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park), this American Girl movie takes the previous television productions to another level.  True to the quality of the brand, the aesthetic is rich in nostalgia.  Rather than overly colorful or stylized, costumes and sets are authentic and detailed, images are treated in subtle sepia tones, and the music is ‘30s big band and swing.  Executive Producer Julia Roberts championed the strict adherence to the AG brand and devotees will not be disappointed.

Teaching history is another AG hallmark and Kit Kittredge delivers both factually and morally.  Children will walk away with a strong sense of the Depression era, its struggles and conflicts (even wrestling with complex notions like “take from the rich and give to the poor”), and the all-important lesson of “there but by the grace of God go I”.  More specifically, in a media-and-toy saturated culture such as ours where children never seem pleased, here comes a story about how the littlest things can be the biggest blessings.  This gem of a movie may do more at getting that point across than endless hours of parental preaching ever could.

The lessons (which also include a strong emphasis on reading and writing) are all buoyed by an exuberant tone and adventurous spirit, thanks in large part to a first-rate ensemble.  The cast universally plays to type while also adding dimension and their individual charms—Joan Cusack especially whose eccentric goofiness is on full comic display here, reminding us yet again why she is so beloved.

As a 36-year-old male, I’m clearly not the demographic for Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, and truth be told I could appreciate it more than enjoy it.  But honestly, one of the things I appreciate most is how this little movie event could bring so many mothers, daughters, sisters and grandmothers together.  This is not just a movie for little girls but for generations of girls—not simply to enjoy but to share, to connect through, and possibly even bond in ways they never even considered or thought possible. 

Ladies, leave the boys at home and make a day of it.  While there’s a new blockbuster for guys every week, chances like this for women (of all ages) don’t come along that often.

CAUTIONS:

• Drugs/Alcohol:  None.
• Language/Profanity:  None.
• Sex/Nudity:  None.  Jane Krakowski’s dancing instructor does flirt at times, but there’s nothing offensive.  A couple of suggestive comments are so mild that the innuendo won’t even dawn on children.
• Violence/Other:  Scuffles, confrontations and fights do occur but it’s all in the context of a mystery/adventure for kids.  Stanley Tucci’s magician performs illusions and slights-of-hand but not anything actually “magical”.
  
  

Jeffrey Huston is a film director, writer and producer at Steelehouse Productions in Tulsa, Okla.  He is also cohost of the "Steelehouse Podcast,” along with Steelehouse Executive Creative Mark Steele, where each week they discuss God in pop culture. 

To listen to the weekly podcast, please visit www.steelehouse.com or click here.  You can also subscribe to the "Steelehouse Podcast” through iTunes.