The Greening of Whitney Brown

i just can't believe that the casting job would be THAT difficult to find a better and more likable young actor to play this her-titled movie. she actually just looked like a brat, a spoiled, heartless, feeling-less shallow materialistic teen. and i also couldn't believe in that particular school, girls were so annoyingly disgusting and so formulaic portrayed in such typical Hollywood movie. neither could i believe anything happened in this movie even it claimed to be a comedy. father lost his job, then immediately declared he's bankrupted, only this scenario i can believe, because it's typical American. when you got a job with a steady huge income, the whole family members would engage in a shopping spree day in and day out, but once the job was cut, then there's nothing left right away. it's the American consumer paradise funded on regular incomes. this movie cast two adult actors who i like a lot, but the girl who plays their daughter just like a nice soup ruined by a tiny fly. what a waste. and the comedy is still trying to have this family full of fun? it only happens in the movie.

I didn't really expect much of this film, but liked the trailer. I am an odd 40 plus man who enjoys fluffy teen movies and romcoms when I'm in the right mood, so this looked like it might be fun.

Ya know what? It IS fun. The title character could so easily have been a brat, and even at the beginning when she is little miss rich girl she comes across as likable, and I feel this is due to very good casting with a girl who is sweet but not at all sexual or threatening.

The basic storyline isn't exactly rocket science, and only differs from similar movies because it has a very lovely horse in it, not to mention the ever reliable Kris Kristofferson. The film is made through the top notch casting, the bubbliness of the lead actress and the delightful way it flows along without asking too much of the viewer or getting at all dull.

Watch the trailer, and if that makes you curious give it a go, because it's a good film that should suit the whole family.

A somewhat spoiled young Whitney Brown (Hanratti), who was just elected Class President of her High School Class in the city of Philadelphia is told by her parents that her father lost his job and they have to move. She is crushed and doesn't like it one bit. And, they move out to the country, and now all of them will have to start over.

This movie is a true sleeper.

I saw the promos for this and saw the horse and laughed at what I saw and knew I had to see this movie. I was hoping the funny promo wasn't the only funny thing in it. And, it wasn't. I laughed all the way thru and for me, that is saying a lot.

The real winners here are Sammie Hanratti and Bob, the horse . Whitney's grandfather (Kristofferson) says the horse has a mind of his own and is almost human. Her parents played by Brooke Shields and Aidan Quinn were very good as were the rest of the cast. But, they were not the story. Whitney and the horse were.

And, it is Bob, the horse, that gets you to LOL first and it's kind of shocking the way that happened. Very funny. You'll have to see for yourself. Whitney is a chatty baby and her incessant chattering was a breath of fresh air until we meet Bob. But, even after that her chatter was welcomed. Her dialogue was quick, funny and right on with her being stranded in the sticks with no friends. Well, except for Bob, the horse, of course. And, her constant chattering was her way of complaining to no one in particular. Well, that is to Bob, who seemed to know and understand more than most humans. Maybe he was almost human. Hard one to figure out.

I honestly didn't want this to end. I don't think I have enjoyed a movie this much for the longest time. This delivered a good story and ton of LOLs all the way to the end. Sequels? Hey, I'm there. This is a movie the whole family will enjoy for a long time.

As for Miss Hanratti, well the girls will just have to look over their shoulders from time to time. Yes, I mean: the Fannings, Breslins, and the like. This Hanratti person has a presence that could remind one of a young Shirley Temple. Anyway, that is what I came away with. Hey, I 've seen the promos for Shirley Temple they are hawking now. The "not sold in stores" enhanced videos kind of thing.

FYI: Bob the Horse is a Gypsy Vanner. To look at this breed right away you might think he is a Clydesdale.

If the title left out the word "greening" it might stand a better chance to be seen and appreciated. What would I choose as the title? Why,"Whitney and Bob the Horse" of course.

Read The Greening of Whitney Brown this way: The revitalization of Whitney Brown. Now, you got it. (10/10)

Violence: No. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: No.