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Matinee Melee: 'Kit Kittredge' no hit, but it has its redeeming qualities

By: Holly Leber
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By: Casey Phillips
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Casey Phillips: “Kit Kittredge” is really not my kind of movie, but going in, my hopes were raised by the casting of “Little Miss Sunshine’s” Abigail Breslin in the starring role. By the time the credits rolled, however, I was neither overwhelmed or underwhelmed, just ... whelmed. This had little to do with “Kit” being a kids movie. I can usually make concessions for a film that’s aimed at children, but this film just seemed to lack ... magic. I still love some movies I watched as a kid like “Goonies” and “The Princess Bride,” both of which were aimed at younger audiences but which have qualities that make them timeless. “Kit” just felt like taking a bath in lukewarm water: It got the job done, but it was far from luxurious.

Holly Leber: I still relish some of my childhood favorites as well, including “Mary Poppins” and “Annie,” (which I watched basically on loop as a little girl). “Kit Kittredge” is not as good, by a long stretch, but I really liked it. More accurately, I appreciated it. I can forgive the film what it lacks because I think the story of a determined young girl who has a goal, defends her principles, and counts Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt among her heroes has a lot of value. I had trouble coming up with any movies made in the last five years with a smart, strong-willed girl (under the age of 13) in the lead role. Therefore I think a character like Kit is definitely worthwhile.

Casey: The film definitely has merit for young kids, both boys and girls alike. The Great Depression setting provides some interesting moral lessons, such as class doesn’t reflect a person’s inner worth and that happiness can come even in the face of adversity. The film as a whole didn’t tug at my heartstrings — Nancy Drew was never on my reading list — but there were some emotional moments. A grown-up Chris O’Donnell plays Kit’s father and is convincingly downtrodden by an inability to support the family when he loses his job. It was almost believable enough to recoup my lost faith in him for besmirching “Scent of a Woman” by participating in “Batman and Robin.” Joan Cusack, however, ought to be ashamed for basically acting like a drunken buffoon the entire time, a slapstick role that was nowhere near as funny as Jodie Foster’s work alongside Breslin in “Nim’s Island.”

Holly: I loved reading Nancy Drew growing up, but she was slightly older — 16 or 18. I’m glad you said it has merit for both boys and girls, because the average parents will not take their sons to see this movie, and they should be open to doing so. Since I know it will be mostly parents who are the adults seeing it, don’t think of it as a waste of your time — this can be a good one for moms and dads. Yes, dads. Kit is a good role model, and Breslin captures her combination of fear and moxie well. The film is produced by Julia Roberts, who has shown in some of her films that she has moxie, too. I think one of the most moving moments of the film was a look shared between Kit and her father. The Depression-era setting and the slow downturn of the Kittredge family’s means provide an interesting current as well.

Casey: I definitely think parents should be open to bringing their kids to see this movie, but I can’t say they should feel obligated. Just because it’s the newest movie aimed at younger audiences doesn’t make it a gem, and I certainly don’t think many adults without kids in the sidecar are going to enjoy it. “Kit” is going to attract the target audience in droves, but I can’t help but think much of that has to do with it being the only thing out this week aimed at them. Not bad, not good, just ... meh.

Holly: Well, I’m not going to be accosting people on the street to go see this one, but if someone were to ask me what to take their kid to see, I’d advocate for “Kit.” It’s not golden, but it’s definitely got value.

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