Troop Beverly Hills

I loved this movie! My mom took me to see this when it came out in the theater. My mom was our brownie troop leader, so we were both really excited about seeing it, and we went one afternoon right after she took the whole troop to be in the studio audience for the filming of the Eddie Albert variety show. I was hoping that Mr. Albert would let me on stage to sing "The Good Ship Lollypop", but all he did was introduce me and my mom to the TV audience at home, and then my brother made fun of me. Anyway, that's a whole other story.

The part I liked best about this movie was the part when the lady from the other camp fell in the mud and ruined all her brand new camping clothes. It's so funny because it's true! The other thing that I liked about this movie was that all those people from like, TOTALLY different TV shows got together to make it - Mrs. Roper, Diane from Cheers, Coach (Coach from "Coach", not Coach from "Cheers!") . It was like watching Battle of the Network Stars - except it was practically a true story.

I haven't watched this movie in a long time, so I can't be sure, but I bet this is the kind of movie that really holds up over the years. Happy landings on a chocolate bar!

You have to give this movie credit for a few things. First off, this is a pure fun movie. If you are looking for deep meanings and double-entendres, look elsewhere. Second, the movie is 15 years old. As a ten year old girl, I thought this film was hilarious. The clothing styles have changed, but it is still relevently funny to girls. For a light laugh and a movie you don't have to analyze, I think this film has timeless appeal.

Family fare for an entertaining evening at home. The problem of divorce is posed in this film without detracting from the value of marriage. Shelley Long portrays a bored Beverly Hills wife whose husband is leaving her for another woman. Deciding to make something of her life she volunteers to be the leader for her daughter's "wilderness girls" troop (I guess they couldn't get the rights to girl scouts). Shelley Long is a hoot as she tries to make it through a camp-out without getting her nails ruined. Both her and her troop of pampered Beverly Hills princesses learn valuable lessons in character, courage, and friendship with a super happy ending (no spoiler). Great mother-daughter movie.

Some actresses are truly under-rated and under-appreciated and Shelley Long is one of them. She is truly a gifted comedic actress who can make you cry at one moment and make you laugh in the next. She didn't leave Cheers because she wanted a film career. She wanted to have a normal family life. Rather she was subjected to be treated like a leper on the set of Cheers. Anyway, I always hoped the best for Shelley. I still think she is one of the best talents out there today but in Hollywood, youth sells and women over 50 or 60 might as well be a hundred years old. Anyway the casting in this film is first rate with Shelley Long and Craig T. Nelson are the divorcing parents. Stephanie Beacham is always a pleasure to watch as one of her friends. Betty Thomas is delicious as the evil foe who tries to outsmart Beverly Hills Troop. Mary Gross is sweet as the unlikely ally in both parties. Audra Lindley is always a treat as well.

Troop Beverly Hills is a funny movie for pre-teen girls. Goofy Shelly Long plays eccentric Beverly Hills mom, Phyllis Nefler, who decides to get involved with her daughter's life and prove that she can do things for herself (sort of), so she becomes troop leader of her daughter's Wilderness Girl's squad.

This proves to be an embarrassing experience for the young girls, seeking some much needed leadership from their mother who can't seem to gain independence from the luxuries of her Beverly Hills lifestyle. But, once the pack is forced to compete with an aggressive, survival squad of hard core rival troopers, Phyllis and her team, tired of being a laughing stock (and also because Phyllis wants to gain her daughter's confidence and respect) are going to prove that they're not just a bunch of whiny rich girls from Beverly Hills.

80s fans will probably recognize many of the young troopers (from Jenny Lewis to Kelli Martin to Tori Spelling), and I'm sure pre-teen girls are sure to like the movie for it's silly story, young female cast, and the goofy antics of Shelly Long. It's a hilarious little movie with a good message for kids about the importance of female independence (Phyllis doesn't want her husband to think she can't fend for herself without a man's guidance) as well as individual confidence. It's bona fide family fun.