Samantha: An American Girl Holiday

When I was a little girl these type of period films about children and largely for children were very popular. And I haven't seen that many as of late, but I'm hoping that this light and heartwarming film might revive the genre. Samantha an American Girl Holiday was sweet, and light. Those two words are the perfect terms to me. The friendship between the fortunate orphan Samantha, and the unfortunate orphan sisters is fairly realistic, but lets not forget that the main actors in this movie are children. Mia Farrow has a pretty small, yet important part as the Grandmere of Samantha and the guardian for the little girl ever since the death of her mother. After going to visit her uncle and his new bride in New York, the story takes a slightly darker turn as she attempts to help the three girls escape from a local orphanage in which the lady over it is crooked and heartless. There is a scene inside of a factory which shows just a small portion of the horror of factory life for poor children. The end is incredibly happy, and her aunt and uncle could not be more perfect and loving. I adore her uncle. Stronger examples of the genre would be The Secret Garden (1993) and A Little Princess.

Nellie is one of the children of the hired help. Samantha is a lonely little, rich girl. They befriend each other and are a comfort to one another.

Historically interesting as well. Brings out the way life was for children regarding child-labor in factories. They were more like slaves than employees.

This film really drew me in, mainly because I love films regarding the Victorian time period. But the movie is mainly about the relationship that Samantha has with her grandmother and uncle and Nellie. Everything appears to take a turn for the worse when her uncle introduces his fiancé. Samantha fears that she will now be more alone than ever, but the kindness of her uncle's new wife wins her heart.

Everything in this movie turned out the way that I would have wanted it to. Love conquered all.

In 1904, an upper-class 10-year old girl Samantha (AnnaSophia Robb) is living with her grandmother (Mia Farrow) when her dear uncle (Jordan Bridges) comes to visit her with his new fiancée (Rebecca Mader) and takes her to stay in New York with them.

The movie was a positive surprise for me; the story, lightly touching topics such as class differences, women's rights and child labor, is entertaining and charmingly down-to-earth. The visual style is bright and pleasant, and the sets, costumes and music are all careful work too. Not even the cute child actors come across as annoying. Even though the movie is best suited for young girls, it's perfectly watchable for adults too, like a good family film should be.

This is the kind of movie that leaves you with a magical, wonderful, warm feeling. It was full of warmth, kindness, giving, bravery, joy,loyalty, beauty... The scenery was beautiful as well and complimented the wonderful storyline, which takes place in the early 1900s. Samantha is shipped off to New York, where she misses her home town and friends. In New York, however, she shows great strength and bravery as we are taken along her adventure. Children and adults alike can enjoy this movie, and Samantha, for the most part, is a wonderful role-model for young girls. I wish more movies were made of this high quality! This movie was an absolute delight, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

10 stars

I greatly enjoyed this sweet, gentle film set in 1904, about two young girls who become friends, and the troubles that befall them and how they deal with those problems.

The young actresses playing these roles did very well and made the characters seem real, and made me care about them. All the little girls were adorable.

Samantha is well off financially and lives with her grandmother (played by Mia Farrow - a treat to see her), but Samantha is an orphan and has lost both her parents in a boating accident.

Grandmother's beautiful, old mansion is out in the countryside and Samantha is a little bit lonely, when an Irish lass, Nellie, her father, and Nellie's two younger sisters arrive, to work at the neighbor's home next door.

Nellie's mother is deceased, and her family is poor, so they all have to work, despite being only children. (The film also deals with child labor.) Nellie and Samantha become fast friends, and Samantha is quite resourceful in helping her friends.

I really liked this movie and highly recommend it. Young girls will love it, and it has enough story interest that an adult will not be bored watching it either.