Spoiler Alert!
I watched this movie last night with my 6 year old daughter who is now getting into the American Girl dolls and books. I remember reading these stories back in the late 1980's from my local library. Never did I think there would be dolls and movies!
The movie did follow the books very well. You didn't see Samantha's birthday party, or the time she went to the lake with her Grandmary. But it did follow the story. A few scenes were added in such as her going to the factory to look for Nellie. However, that did bring the realism in to the time when the story took place. The awful conditions factory workers had prior to OSHA and child labor laws.
The movie did flow nicely and took a sad, dark turn when Samantha went to live with her Uncle Gard and her new aunt in New York. But it did end on a very sweet happy tone.
Many of Samantha's costumes are now made for the dolls. Such has her blue coat towards the end of the movie, her striped dress, bridesmaid dress, Nellies purple pj's and so forth. So it did bring those outfits to life.
I read in TV Guide that Julia Roberts did produce this movie and her production company has the rights to all the American Girl books. She said she wanted to bring sweet stories to TV that she remembered as a child. She did mention that many production companies were after these books and that Felicity is next.
I am glad someone in Hollywood wants to make sweet good natured movies to the screen. And show young women what life was like before they were born.
All in all this was a wonderful movie and they are reshowing it Thanksgiving night.
Enjoy all!
10 out of a 10
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