Not only could this have been the worst movie I've ever seen but the swimmer Rachel would've been disqualified for her leg of the race. As a butterfly swimmer, she had to do her turn with both hands touching the wall at the same time. They really should've checked on that. It's such a major, and easily corrected mistake. What a silly movie. Could the mean girl Tara have been any more cliched?
shareIf you don't like cliché, then why the heck do you even bother watching an American Girl movie?
shareI agree. Many people don't like cliched stuff, but that's what American Girl is all about, and in fact, that's what kids' films in general are all about.
I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie. It was ten times better than I expected it to be. The bullying situations were set up in a very believable way. Yes, Tara's character was a little overdone, but if you watch any movie about school bullies--whether they are elementary, junior high, or high school aged--the screenwriters are going to do that, partly for the sake of entertainment. Even the best movies are like that. Rachel McAdams' role was overexaggerated in "Mean Girls," and yet that ended up being a somewhat iconic teen flick.
To me, it was a good film and pretty realistic for an American Girl movie. Sammi Hanratty was perfect for the lead role. I fell in love with her, she was such a sweetie :)
Tara's character was overdone because the actress is just that way. It wasn't the production company's fault, or even the director's.
shareI didn't think her character was overdone. When kids are bullied, the bully often seems too mean to be real, and almost larger-than-life to them. I thought the way Adair played the part gave Tara that very effect! If you imagine how Chrissa must view her, then Tara isn't overdone at all. I thought all the girls did a great job.
LIFE: It's just a movie.
"I didn't think her character was overdone. When kids are bullied, the bully often seems too mean to be real, and almost larger-than-life to them. I thought the way Adair played the part gave Tara that very effect! If you imagine how Chrissa must view her, then Tara isn't overdone at all. I thought all the girls did a great job."
That's a really good point, RacingThoughts. I never thought of it that way before, but you're absolutely right. As adults, sometimes we forget what kids go through and how they perceive things like bullying. When you're that young and intimidated by someone, it makes sense that you see them from a "larger than life" pespective. I really felt Chrissa's pain when she said "Just stop it!" and Tara got in her face and said, "Or WHAT?" That was something that I could picture happening in real life. Girls can be so relentless and cruel, and when they know that their target is scared and not doing anything about it, that gives them even more power.
It's an American Girl movie. What do you expect? Personally I think it's the best American Girl has done. But, I really don't like the Kit movie.
"Love it or Leave it"
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