KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL
RYAN: “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl” is the first – get that, first – movie based on the popular book and doll phenomenon in America, and Abigail Breslin is a major snooze.
CAROLINE: It annoyed me more than anything how she and everyone else in the movie pronounced it “Kitt-redge” with a break between the two syllables. And I don’t like children’s movies to begin with so I wasn’t expecting much, but you’d think they’d at least try to make the kids laugh a little with this movie. Even the little girls in the audience didn’t seem to be enjoying it.
RYAN: I was expecting it to be really good since it’s being pimped as the first of a series; but if they want to have a sequel, they need to do a lot better than this.
CAROLINE: I’m getting tired of seeing Abigail Breslin play every ‘tween role in every movie. She’s becoming a little two self-aware and now I feel like I’m watching Abigail Breslin act as opposed to feeling like she’s immersed in the role.
RYAN: Her technique is a little obvious. But let’s face it; Dakota Fanning is a little too old now.
CAROLINE: I realize it’s gotta be someone; there’s always a little girl who dominates all the roles. I’m just tired of Abby B.
RYAN: I’m with you. And she’s not good as a blonde. The hair color they chose for her in this movie so does not work on her.
CAROLINE: It was awful and so unnatural.
RYAN: She did look exactly like an American Girl doll come to life though, I must say. My niece has one, and Abigail looks just like it.
CAROLINE: This movie is kind of preachy and over-the-top with its message about right vs. wrong. It’s very earnest and since it takes place during the Depression, it feels like a history lesson for kids disguised as a movie.
RYAN: It’s the most slow-moving and unentertaining piece of crap I’ve seen in a long time.
CAROLINE: Hello! I didn’t feel that strongly. I certainly wasn’t super into it, but since I had zero expectations I wasn’t disappointed either. Chris O’Donnell is back on the silver screen after his run as Meredith’s BF on “Grey’s Anatomy” a couple seasons ago. Most of his lines are really annoying. I felt bad for the adult actors in this movie, and there are some good ones: Stanley Tucci, Joan Cusack, Jane Krakowski and Wallace Shawn. They must have been like, “Well, at least it’s a paycheck!”
RYAN: I love Joan Cusack, but she’s underused and over the top in this. And I worship Jane Krakowski but she’s playing the same character she’s played a million times.
CAROLINE: She dances and she’s vampy and desperate for a man.
RYAN: That was disappointing. And Stanley Tucci plays a magician, which should be exciting; but instead, I was yawning and looking at my watch.
CAROLINE: I imagine this movie will do well at the B.O. nonetheless because of its built in fan base of little ladies. They’re rolling it out in limited release now and then it goes wide for July 4th weekend. BTW Julia Roberts co-produced this movie and I’m sure she’s convinced it will be a hit.
RYAN: They’re definitely banking on the success and popularity of the dolls, and maybe that alone will get little girls into the theater and then they can have a sequel. But I gotta tell ya, the success of this movie will be only because of the buzz, not because it’s any good. Bottom line?
CAROLINE: I’m certainly not going to recommend it to any of our friends.
RYAN: Take your daughter to the store and get her American Girl doll a new outfit instead of seeing this movie. Or take your kids to see “Kung Fu Panda” again.