Samantha: An American Girl Holiday

SAMANTHA:

AN AMERICAN GIRL HOLIDAY

REVIEWED BY RISSI C.

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Rated:

I have read all six of the Samantha stories and many of the other American Girl novels as well. Which is why when I read that they had made a movie based on them, I was anxious to see it. I had high hopes that they would not only keep with the stories, but the film would be well cast too! I was not disappointed.

Samantha Parkington (AnnaShophia Robb) is a ten-year-old girl, who is being raised by her prim and proper Grandmary (Mia Farrow) in 1904 Mount Bedford, New York. Grandmary is trying to raise Samantha to be a lady, something Samantha finds tiresome. While Samantha loves Grandmary very much, she would much rather be climbing trees or playing jokes on her pesky neighbor Eddie Ryland (Michael Kunev). When Samantha learns the Rylands’ have new servants and one of the girls is her age, she wastes no time in meeting Nellie O’Mally (Kelsey Lewis). Samantha and Nellie soon become best friends. During their daily visits, Samantha begins to teach Nellie how to read and write.

After Samantha learns her beloved Uncle Gard (Jordan Bridges) is coming for a visit, she eagerly plans everything they can do together. It turns out that he is bringing his fiancée Cornelia (Rebecca Mader), an old fashioned beauty with new fangled ideas. Samantha is disappointed that she won’t have Gard all to herself. She doesn’t want anything to change, so she struggles to accept Cornelia into the family. During her Uncle’s visit, Samantha receives an invitation to go and live with her Uncle and Cornelia after they marry. Saddened that she and Nellie will be separated, they promise to write to each other every day. Samantha moves to New York City and gets settled into a new school, she begins corresponding with Nellie faithfully. While living with her aunt and uncle, Samantha learns tragedy has struck Nellie and her two young sisters. Devastated, Samantha is determined to do whatever she can to help her friend.

There is no disturbing content in this movie, but there are a few negative things: instead of going to her Aunt and Uncle for help, Samantha tries to help Nellie and her sisters on her own and it gets her in trouble in the end. There area few times when Nellie and Samantha do things that they shouldn’t, but through their experiences they learn valuable lessons. All in all if you’re looking for a wonderful movie to watch with your young daughters, this is a excellent choice. AnnaShophia Robb was wonderful as Samantha, I can’t think of anyone I would have liked better in the role. Jordan Bridges, Mia Farrow and Rebecca Mader were also perfectly cast in their roles as Uncle Grad, Grandmary and Cornelia. I was very impressed with the two little girls who played Nellie’s sisters, Bridget (Hannah Endicott-Scott) and Jenny (Olivia Ballayntyne). Olivia was just the most adorable little actress.

I have always loved Samantha’s relationship with her uncle in the books; Jordan Bridges and AnnaShopia did a fantastic job bringing it to life. Cornelia’s wedding gown in the film was one of the most elegant gowns I have seen in a period film, the costumes were beautiful in this film. I was very happy that they kept with the six stories. The only major part that they didn’t bring into this film was Samantha’s trip to Piney Point. If you are a fan of American Girl, as I am, or are just looking for a wonderful movie to watch with your daughters, I would highly recommend Samantha!