Grace Stirs Up Success

This movie teaches the sort of moral lessons modern children's movies are expected to teach, and that's fine. The trip to Paris is a waste, though, because Grace learns nothing there that she could not have learned here at home.

From this adult's perspective, the movie, at 107 minutes, is also way too long.

As if it wasn't bad enough already - then they introduced Master Chef Junior into the mix. What a complete joke.

American Girl's latest movie outing (and the fourth to be directed by Vince Marcello) surprisingly takes us away from America and into the iconic streets of Paris as budding baker Grace (Olivia Rodrigo) helps her French family, and of course, learns more about herself in the process.

Though some American Girl fans have lamented the change in direction of recent AG movies (which favor more sparkles, colors, giggles, and modern settings over the historical settings of Samantha, Felicity, etc.), Grace Stirs Up Success is still just as sweet and heartwarming as anything to come from American Girl. The values are very strong, with this film in particular focusing on using your talents for the benefit of others (unlike Disney Channel fare, which usually has an unpleasant "it's all about me" taste).

Olivia Rodrigo is terrific as the ever-vivacious, ever-organized, and occasionally klutzy Grace, and her relationship with her snooty French cousin is both touching. . .and funny. There is definitely more outright humor in this film than any previous AG movie, with some pratfalls, whipped cream, and clumsy antics on hand; again, perhaps a departure from American Girl's more serious historical pieces, but still just as fun and just as sweet-spirited. Music and songs also play a very prominent role, as they did in both Isabelle and Saige.

As usual with Vince Marcello's AG movies, the visuals are extremely colorful, looking like a world of dolls and doll houses, as if we are seeing the world that a girl might be imagining as she is playing with her American Girl doll. These films are first-rate family films, with excellent values that are seldom taught in modern children's entertainment. Thanks, American Girl!

Grace Stirs Up Success (2015) marks the acting debut of the one and only Olivia Rodrigo. This is also the first American Girl movie I've ever watched and it was decent.

Positives for Grace Stirs Up Success (2015): Olivia Rodrigo is easily the highlight of this movie and from the moment she shows up, this girl is just oozing with such a nature charm and charisma to herself. Now admittedly, I haven't been a fan of Rodrigo until October when I watched the GUTS World Tour on Netflix and since I've instantly become a fan of hers. I really enjoyed Virginia Madsen as Grace's mother and she does bring a bit of legitimacy to the movie. I did have some fun with some of the side characters. And finally, the cooking sequences were a lot of fun to watch.

Negatives for Grace Stirs Up Success (2015): There are a number of side characters that annoyed me with their antics. And for my final negative, the movie is way too long for its own good.

Overall, Grace Stirs Up Success (2015) is a decent enough movie for kids and if you're a fan of Olivia Rodrigo like me, then you'll have some fun with this movie.

Grace Stirs Up Success was a simple movie at it's heart, a cute story of a girl who discovers that her hobby can become a dream come true. For Grace, baking is second only to her family, and even with some relations living overseas and basically strangers, she can still find, and be, herself. I just wish they'd cut out all that giggling. It was sorta unrealistic and got on my nerves. And my sister's nerves; she had to go bake some cookies to feel better. From its cool pastels to warm smiles, this movie served up a delicious array of charming characters and a story with a surprising amount of heart. That just wouldn't have been there without Uncle Bernard. And a certain little je ne sais quoi...