In an oceanfront community in Australia, Pip (Helen Neville) is often bullied by the reigning "princess" of the neighborhood, Rhonnie (Thea Gumbert). Its true that Pip can hold her own pretty well and she has an admirer-friend in Ben (Glenn McMillan). Alas, Ben is often an object of Rhonnie's scorn, too, as he has to wear hand-me-downs from his five raucous sisters, and all of the other kids concede everything to the princess. One day, Pip reaches a breaking point. Therefore, when Rhonnie offers a bet, Pip's telescope versus Rhonnie banished from the playground for a month, Pip takes the challenge. But, ho, the stakes are nearly impossible. A new gal in school, Sally Marshall (Natalie Vansier), is so weird when she reads books upside down and never takes off her sunglasses, so they call her an alien from a bizarre planet. Its Pip's job to PROVE that she is a typical earth girl. Wow! With her camera, Pip is ready to take pictures of normalcy, yet Sally's garden does have tomatoes the size of soccer balls. Pip soon realizes that the best way to win her bet is to befriend Sally. Before long, Sally and Pip become close, pleasing Sally very much as her mother is deceased and she is lonely. But, when it becomes obvious that Sally has never tasted ice cream or swam in water, Pip begins to have doubts HERSELF that Sally is a human being! What will be the outcome of the bet? This sweet Aussie flick has some good lessons on bullying and loyalty. After a minute or two, the Down Under dialect is easy to understand while kids are kids everywhere. Neville is quite good in the leading role, reminding viewers of Hayley Mills and Jodie Foster. Gumbert, Vansier, McMillan and all the rest are quite fine as well. The ocean setting is wonderful while the glimpse into Aussie buildings, costumes, and sights is nice. Although quite unusual, the script/story is a surefire winner while the direction, a bit slow, keeps the tale flowing well enough. Made over 15 years ago, the ideas are timeless so please your loved ones with a family film which will have everyone clapping.
