Smart Cookies

This movie is well done but you have to wonder how someone could write this and not feel like they're plagiarizing Troop Beverly Hills.

It's a made-for-TV movie, so there are the usual issues. The plot is very predictable. The synopsis is that a flawed working-woman who isn't good with kids ends up taking charge of a girls scout. Tell me if you haven't seen a similar plot before? ... I think anyone familiar with movies can predict what sort of character arc and conclusion the movie would have (the kids will change her, right?). Since it's so family-friendly, some of the dialogue and scenes come off as sappy

But nonetheless, the movie isn't a hard watch. The acting is good, the kids are adorable, and there are some decent laughs (the scenes with the big-shot guy named Troy are good). It's not all bad.

I am a lifetime Girl Scout and while it was a cute Hallmark movie, I was disturbed to see how they would place an adult in a troop role with no suggested training for her. She clearly was not provided training which is not he Girl Scout way and the very first meeting she attended she took the girls off site in her vehicle. I understand there are some artistic licenses but I was watching it going that would never happen! Another discrepancy was the two troops discounting the price of the cookies! Again, this never would fly and I'm a bit surprised Girl Scouts agreed to this script as shown. A cute movie in general but not the known standard for what goes on in troops.

Though I'm not the maternal type and particularly enjoy movies with kids, this one's charm was irresistible. It wasn't overly predictable and the storylines were enjoyable.

It is a harmless, safe, movie with a good moral. If this were a feature film with A-list celebrities, I would probably expect more drama and more intense dialogue and rate this eight stars but it's a Hallmark movie and produces what one watches a Hallmark movie to get: comfort food that isn't junk food. It has affable characters, a cute plotline, and a happy ending. Since it does everything it is supposed to do, namely, produce light yet wholesome audiovisual fare for a lazy afternoon, I give it ten stars.