Synopsis
The Great Depression hits home for nine year old Kit Kittredge when her dad loses his business and leaves to find work. Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin stars as Kit, leading a splendid cast in the first ever "American Girl" theatrical movie. In order to keep their home, Kit and her mother must take in boarders - paying house - guests who turn out to be full of fascinating stories. When mother's lockbox containing all their money is stolen, Kit's new hobo friend Will is the prime suspect. Kit refuses to believe that Will would steal, and her efforts to sniff out the real story get her and friends into big trouble. The police say the robbery was an inside job, committed by someone they know. So if it wasn't Will, then who did it.
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Cast
- Abigail BreslinKit Kittredge
- Chris O'DonnellMr. Kittredge
- Julia OrmondMrs. Kittredge
- Stanley TucciMr. Jefferson Jasper Rene Berk
- Max ThieriotWill Shephard
- Joan CusackMiss Lucinda Bond
- Glenne HeadlyMrs. Howard
- Jane KrakowskiMiss May Dooley
- Wallace ShawnMr. Gibson
- Madison DavenportRuthie Smithens
Recommendations
- 88
Chicago Sun-Times
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. - 80
Variety
Anchored by a fine performance from Abigail Breslin, this wholesome, engaging entertainment offers something for viewers ages 7 to 107. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
It's fun, fast-paced, educational entertainment that's fit for the whole family -- American boys included. - 70
Wall Street Journal
It's not only fresh and unassuming, but a film that serves, very nicely, the severely underserved audience of young girls. - 70
Chicago Reader
A crime wave gives the heroine a mystery to solve and provides most of the comedy, but the film is stronger in its dramatic stretches. - 70
The New York Times
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. - 63
Chicago Tribune
Strictly a kids' movie--brimming with easy-to-swallow life lessons. - 63
USA Today
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.
