Samantha: An American Girl Holiday (2004)

Great Film overall

Excellent adaptation.

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

The story about Samantha Parkington, a privileged girl, who lives with her grandmother played by the wonderful Mia Farrow in Mount Bedford, New York along the Hudson River in the Hudson River Valley about a couple of hours north of New York City. In the beginning, Samantha is playing with Eddie Ryland, her neighbor and nemesis who enjoys bullying people into giving him money. Samantha befriends Eddie's new maids, young sisters--Nellie, Bridget, and Jenny whose mother died. Their father moved them to the country. Instead of working in terrible factories, they work in the Ryland estate in the Hudson River Valley. While Nellie is working there, Samantha and her become close friends despite their obvious differences. When Samantha's Uncle Gardner comes home, he announces his engagement to Cornelia Pitt, a woman's right to vote activist, and he plans to bring Samantha to live with them in New York City. Wherever Samantha goes, adventure follows. I don't know how similar this is to the books but it's an okay film. The acting is okay. The child actors are wonderful in their roles. The film reminds of an old Shirley Temple movie. It's for a family audience!

I loved this movie! I collected the American Girls Dolls as a child and have read most the books. Samantha was my favorite. The movie followed the books pretty well. Of course, some was left out, but thats normal. It was fantastic. Samantha's character was portrayed well. Her determination to save Nellie was very admirable. Grandmary was done very well. The movie was a good length for a children's movie. The tale was very moving. Seeing Samantha grow and learn was done so well. The viewer felt involved in the story. The childhood connection made the movie greater. The cast was perfect. The chemistry really helped it seem like they were a real family that truly cared and loved each other. I highly recommend this movie.

I became an AnnaSophia Robb fan when she starred in Because of Winn Dixie. I didn't even know she had played Samantha earlier in her career, so when I found the DVD I was thrilled. OK, so I am a nut for Victorian period little girl/orphan movies: I may have watched A Little Princess, Annie and The Secret Garden fifty or more times each. And they still make me cry. Samantha had the same effect and should probably be included with my small list of Victorian little girl/orphan genre classics.I would like to rave about AnnaSophia's acting, her big eyes and timid smile are unmatched since the days of Ann E. Todd. OK, so Dakota Fanning sometimes gets it. Its rare IMO to find an actress as talented as AnnaSophia, and I am looking forward to seeing all of her movies.

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.