Poster art for "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl."

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Avg. Critic Score: 63 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
6 OK for kids 6+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 88
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    Just about perfect for its target audience, and more than that. It has a great look, engaging performances, real substance and even a few whispers of political ideas, all surrounding the freshness and charm of Abigail Breslin, who was 11 when it was filmed. Read full review

  • 83
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    A smart, playful, informative pleasure. Read full review

  • 80
    The Hollywood Reporter | Sheri Linden

    Offers solid, kid-friendly storytelling. Read full review

  • 80
    Variety |

    Anchored by a fine performance from Abigail Breslin, this wholesome, engaging entertainment offers something for viewers ages 7 to 107. Read full review

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Ruthe Stein

    Much as she did in "Little Miss Sunshine," Breslin imbues Kit with joy. Read full review

  • 70
    Wall Street Journal | Joe Morgenstern

    It's not only fresh and unassuming, but a film that serves, very nicely, the severely underserved audience of young girls. Read full review

  • 70
    The New York Times | Jeannette Catsoulis

    In Kit's world the absent father (a familiar theme from girls' novels including "Little Women" and "A Little Princess") is an epidemic, and the picture makes this the impetus for children's resourcefulness and emotional development. Read full review

  • 70
    Los Angeles Times |

    This can be strong stuff for kids, but the film's humanistic approach preaches tolerance and hope. Read full review

  • 63
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    This sweetly enjoyable family film stars the endearing Abigail Breslin as Kit. And, refreshingly, it's actually about something -- the Great Depression -- and tackles such serious issues as prejudice, poverty and homelessness. Read full review

  • 30
    Washington Post | Stephen Hunter

    The director, Patricia Rozema, has a rare talent: She gets third-rate performances out of first-rate performers with almost startling efficiency. All are bland, some hardly exist at all, and as performance, the whole thing seems a waste. Read full review

View more reviews for Kit Kittredge: An American Girl on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 6+ Sweet and engaging adventure for all ages.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that kids (especially girls) who are familiar with the vast array of American Girl products (dolls, books, DVDs, etc.) will definitely want to see this movie. The good news is that it's entertaining and even thought-provoking, so it doesn't feel like just a way to sell more stuff (though it probably will do exactly that). And it doesn't depart from the age-appropriateness of the brand -- if anything, it's even tamer than some of the direct-to-DVD movies. There's no swearing; very little violence; and plenty of positive messages. Even kids who've never read an American Girl book will have plenty to enjoy.
  • Families can talk about why kids want to see this movie -- is it because of the story or because they're already familiar with the American Girl brand? If kids are already familiar with Kit's story from the book, ask them how well the movie brings it to life. How does it compare to what they imagined? Families can also discuss what they learned about the Great Depression from watching the movie. Did you know what a hobo was? Why do they make people nervous? Why is it important that Kit's family welcomes hobos and boarders into their home?
The good stuff
  • message true3 Positive messages: Even though the rich pick on the poor, the disenfranchised pick on hobos and are rude to them, and young bullies needle other children, Kit and her friends work together to rise above the fray, and they do the right thing. Kit's mother is truly a rock, a stabilizing force in a turbulent time.
What to watch for
  • violence false0 Violence and scariness: No outright violence, though two men who appear to be thieves bicker, and bullies at school pick on children who are perceived to be poor. Thieves also chase down children who've figured out that they're criminals.
  • sex false0 Sexy stuff: Very mild flirtation between two characters.
  • language false0 Language: "Moron" is as strong as it gets.
  • consumerism false3 Consumerism: Period-accurate product placement, like the National Trailways bus line, Smoot's Board House, etc. More notably, this film is part of the American Girl family, a hugely popular brand among young girls and tweens that includes toys, books, DVDs, and much more.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Movie Ratings + Reviews

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