Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

The "Great Depression" is today considered the worst and longest economic recession period of the twentieth century. There is nothing new approach in the cinema of that time, which was the background for some stories. A more recent example that speaks so interesting about this troubled and sad period in the world economy and portrays the misery and societal collapse of the 30's movie Cinderella Man released in 2005, directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger and Paul Giamatti. In this film and others, as well as documentaries about the era are often produced, showing the difficult times, but always looking for great examples of overcoming stress, emphasizing the unity and solidarity will always be the main link in times of crisis.

Produced by HBO Films, and with Julia Roberts as an executive producer, production is based on the Kit Kittredge stories by writer Valerie Tripp, hits theaters more a family drama that has the Great Depression as one of the main characters, who ends up being the thread of the whole story. For the film adaptation, was chosen screenwriter Ann Peacock, who had been responsible for the 2005 adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis. The screenplay by Ann Peacock is unique to a certain extent, because unlike previous films based on the series "An American Girl", some characters in the film are not present in the books. It has its great advantage in bringing a different approach to everything. For the first time, we see a sad period of the 30s being seen through the eyes of a child who goes through transformations arising from the crisis.

Cincinnati, Ohio. Great Depression. In June 1934, Kit Kittredge (Abigail Breslin) is determined to become a reporter, writing articles on his typewriter in his attic. Meanwhile, the mortgage of your home is about to be executed because his father Jack Kittredge (Chris O'Donnell) lost his car dealership and could no longer afford the payments. He ends up going to Chicago, Illinois to find work, while Kit's mother, Margaret (Julia Ormond) need to turn the house where they live on a pension to support the home. Among those guests arriving there the magician Jefferson Berk (Stanley Tucci), a dance teacher, Miss. Dooley (Jane Krakowski), and itinerant librarian, Miss. Bond (Joan Cusack). On site there were reports of assaults and robberies allegedly committed by the homeless. Kit investigates and finds Will Shepherd (Max Thieriot) and Countee (Willow Smith), living in a homeless camp. Kit writes a story about the camp and try to sell it to Mr. Gibson (Wallace Shawn), the editor of the Cincinnati, but he has no interest in the subject. When a closed box containing all the savings of his mother is stolen, and a footprint with a star similar to the Will of the boot is discovered, the boy becomes the main suspect. Will not believing that he could have committed the crime, Kit and her friends Stirling (Zach Mills) and Ruthie (Madison Davenport) come together to gather enough evidence to find the culprits, proving that homeless friends are innocent.

The Canadian director Patricia Rozema is happy to keep that innocent look and adventurous about the events that are gradually changing the lives of an entire city. At the beginning of the film, some neighbors and acquaintances Kity are being affected by the crisis taking its foreclosure. Her father still has his car dealership, walks into a Chrysler airflows, but already beginning to suffer from the new times. When the crisis reaches the Kittredge family, he has to leave the city to try to get jobs in local gold and have to stay away from his daughter and wife. Kit will correspond through letters to his father telling of all the new developments that were taking place while he was away. Detachable here is the work of Chris O'Donnell and his chemistry with the Oscar nominee for Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Abigail Breslin. Chris O'Donnell passes and the figure of a loving father and devoted husband, and Abigail shows all the love you have for that father. The duo is responsible for the most dramatic and exciting moments of the whole film and deliver great performances.

The initial half of the script shows the desire to become a reporter kit and especially the effects of the crisis that affected not only the girl's family, but to everyone in town, including leaving many people with no place to live and struggling to survive. The beginning of the second half shows us a little better to the residents of the board created by the mother of the protagonist. Is remarkable about the cast that director Patricia Rozema could muster. Stanley Tucci is great as always as the magician Jefferson Berk. Jane Krakowski also composes and dance teacher, Miss. Dooley. The highlights will even Joan Cusack, who composed a fun and interesting character, is the peculiar way of driving, the way to run or even to speak. Julia Ormond is perhaps the best presence of the adult cast, passing all the insecurity, suffering, gentleness, goodness and sadness in specific moments. It is the most natural character among adults. Children of fundamental importance in this film are very well on stage, without exception. Besides the already known talent Abigail Breslin, Madison Davenport is important to mention, Zach Mills, Max Thieriot and Willow Smith, daughter of superstar Will Smith. The final stretch is dedicated to the mystery of the theft of the economies of Mrs. Kittredge and solving the mystery and also has an interesting little twist.

Throughout the recreation of the 30s, the crew created the appropriate climate. Photograph of David Boyd, coupled with the art direction of Michele Brady who brought cars, facades of typical houses with large green lawns of the American middle class, and objects were relevant at the time care in every detail. The costumes Trysha Bakker also excels and helps further the composition of the time.

Patricia Rozema knew leave the movie transitions natural and fluid. Earlier Kittredge family yet was struggling. With the crisis, all the characters live in a new time, having to adapt. Kit not only played, but he had to help his mother take care of the pension, having to take care of the clothes and other obligations. Aina touched on the issue of homelessness most severely affected by the economy. Seen by many large and responsible for the robberies and crime due to desperation in which they were, realized through Kit and other children, they were good people, with families and they were just victims of the situation mostly.

Rozema does not matter at any time to hide or minimize the situation of the Great Depression, but not called, aptly. See the secondary characters being affected by the crisis and the transformations all go through. The situation is not only introduced to show the time when the story was going, including being one of the main reasons for many of the actions in the course of the film. The work brings a lighter touch and pleasant, and can even have fun at many other moments. Still brings notions of political, moral, and a heroine smart, beautiful and extremely charismatic. A captivating film with a talented cast and a responsive steering and precise, as done for the whole family, where we laugh, we are moved and still reflect and learn every scene.

As a writer of women's history, including World War II, this is one of the few films I've seen which really informs. The settings and clothing were accurate. The mix of people was also true to life. But what surprised me the most was that Kit's family came face to face with the personal dilemmas of the Depression. She was not just a child "voyeur", "do-gooder", or "little careerist" removed from the economic and social pressures which is what I had expected. There were a number of very authentic scenes and interchanges. There were also some very interesting characters such as the mobile librarian.

I spoke to a mother as she came out of the theater with her 5 year old (who liked it). She commented that the movie will give youth of today a view of hardship that most don't understand in our now affluent nation. As a child of Depression-era parents that's the truth: both of my parents' families lost wealth due to small town bank failures. My uncle, instead of going to college, had to join the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCCs).

With that said, however, as a movie I thought the acting uneven. Some of the dialogue seemed a little canned and some words were too contemporary (e.g., Kit: "I was focused on"). But some of that could also just be my first over-reactive impression. I'd have to see it again, to let it all sink in, for as a total historical package it was a lot to absorb, because you have to assess it at several different levels.

But, whether or not you think this is a good or bad movie, in movie terms, this is an important movie for children to see. It is generally fact-based, has depth, and is as authentic a movie as a wholesome, "uplifting" one for 10-year-olds can be. The American Girl phenomenon is true manna from heaven for those of us interested in giving women a place in history.

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl is a touching story about a young girl (named Kit) who is living during the Great Depression. The movie follows Kit and her family as they struggle through the tough times of the Great Depression. It is a very moving movie, with several emotional scenes, especially near the end.

This movie introduces viewers personally to the struggles that people had to go through during the time period, and I feel that this is one of the strengths of the movies. Not only is it touching and moving, but it also educates the viewer on what the time period was really like, giving a personal perspective to an important period of history.

In terms of acting, I absolutely loved Abigail Breslin as Kit. She is an amazing actress, and I think this is one of her best performances. All of the other actors give great performances, as well.

This is a wonderful movie that can be enjoyed by anyone, kids and adults alike. It is a movie which both touches the heart, and educates the mind.

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).

Abigail Breslin is headed for Oscar nomination in this move and I would not be surprised to see this movie receive and Oscar nod for best character set. Let me explain a bit more. Some movies has characters/actors that give very strong performance but do not play well with other characters/actors within a storyline. Yes, Abigail Breslin does maintain a strong presence but without EQUAL interaction with the other characters, the movie would not have played so equal across the scenes.

The story is based in 1934, just a few years into the Great Depression. The Depression scenes plays out it injustice(s) in total disregard to social status, property possessions, job description and of course, the haves and the have not. I've been told stories from people who have lived through the Great Depression and I can tell you that the film comes pretty darn close to reality.

Abigail Breslin and her cohorts has this not so secret clubhouse in the family's yard. Secret initiation ceremonies, secret oath and secret chit-chat dominate the playtime of this secret club. As the movie progresses, we see the club forming ideas to help the less fortunate on the street where they live.

Movies like Kit Kittredge gives me hope that there are a few Hollywood idea men that are left who can present to the world, movies laced with a healthy dose of 'nice' and topped off with a dollop of a kindred spirit.