Customer Reviews

Samantha: An American Girl Holiday

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was probably Samantha's age when I got into the American Girls books, and now I'm closer to Aunt Cornelia's age, which is a little mind-boggling to me. I wasn't expecting much from this movie, but I really liked it, and my husband did too. Some of the actors are better than others, but AnnaSophia Robb really carries her role. If her hair color were as convincing as her acting, it would be easy to get lost in the moment. Mia Farrow, Jordan Bridges, and Rebecca Mader all do a great job, as well.
I did notice some odd little plot changes and wonder why they were there. Was Jessie's storyline cut because of time restrictions? Was it impossible to include non-Nellie-related adventures? Did we really see, in the movie, how important Lydia (the doll) was to Samantha and how significant it was to give her away? And wasn't the jar stolen from Eddie Ryland originally full of bugs rather than coins?
Most of my issues with the movie are based on my having read the books rather than on the movie itself (although I do wonder why the girls can't pronounce "da"!), and the movie can stand on its own--it's that good. The whole family can enjoy a movie like this together; although the DVD extras do seem to be aimed at the younger portion of the family audience, they are interesting for even adults to watch once. I hope there are more American Girls movies to look forward to in the future.

I'm a big fan of period drama, and while Samantha- An American Girl Holiday, is clearly geared towards girls, I found myself really enjoying this film, and I'm an adult! This follows the adventures of Samantha- an orphan who lives with her strict Grandmother GrandMarie in Upper New York. She befriends a young Irish girl who was hired to be a maid for a next door neighbor. Samantha's friendship with Nellie was very well portrayed, and all the characters- included Sam's aunt and uncle were great.

This is a fun classic for those who want a warm, feel-good story to perk up those winter months, or to share with your kids or other kids at heart! I certainly hope they make more books in this series as this film was wonderul and entertaining! Five Stars.

My 6 year old daughter has read all of the Samantha adventures, and was excited to get this movie as a gift. It is a nice story with all the books woven together. The acting, scenery, costuming, and music are all first rate and true to the American Girl line. Most importantly, it is wonderful to have a movie that captivates children and has such wonderful lessons of kindness, giving, standing up for what you believe, and sacrificing for others. It's very hard to find true gems like this among all the trash they make for girls these days. As a mom, I am so grateful that there are people still willing to make quality movies with traditional values for young girls today. This is definatly a must have for any girl age 6-12.

We first saw this when it debuted on tv. After sitting through the entire movie and being entranced by it, my girls actually imitated the politeness of Samantha and the other girls. They answered "Yes, Ma'am" or "No Ma'am". It was so refreshing to see a movie for the kids that was fun for them to watch and taught them some history about that time period. When it was first released on DVD, I bought it. My girls still love watching it. Recently, we picked up the 6 book set of Samantha books. They are anxious to get started on the books since they already know the characters. Had I been introduced to the American Girls Series as a kid, I would have definitely had an interest in learning History/Social Studies. But since I'll be reading the books to my girls, I guess it's never too late to learn....

A mere week after the premiere of "Samantha-An American Girl Holiday," I may have seen the movie more than anyone in the world. We taped it for our 8-year-old but, while she's at school, our 2-year-old repeatedly asks to watch "Amackan Girl." So, watch it we do. This movie is a must see for the American Girl in your household. Technically, it's not particularly good, but your children will not notice the bad acting. Instead, they'll take home the movie's lessons and empathize with the girls in the movie.
Rebecca Mader as Cornelia far and away does the best job of re-creating the character we meet in the books (and her acting is the best in the show). But, poor Mia Farrow doesn't have a chance to embody her book counterpart; screen Grandmary was written as a far less stern (and far younger) presence than print Grandmary. I think the print Grandmary better portrays the way women were in 1904.
So, do yourself a favor: Don't let your children miss this movie, but please read the books!

I'm older than what many people would except to find still liking something like American girl dolls, but I'm a kid at heart. When I heard that Samantha was going to have a movie, I was elated. I've had my doll for over five years now. And I have the books, all of them, too, thank you very much.

It's about Samantha Parkington, a girl who is living in 1904, and is living with her grandmother since she's an orphan. She wants some sort of playmate (since she dispises her next door neighbor, Eddie Ryland). She meets Nellie O'Mally, a hired girl who works for the Rylands. They become instant friends, and they stick together, through the thick and thin of their lives, including the tragedy of Nellie's life.

Personally, I missed the story of the original Samantha book, Meet Samantha, where Nellie and Samntha go looking for Jessie, the seamstress who suddely quit and moved away from Samntha. Jessie's got a minor part now, and is a maid instead. Also, what has not been mentioned in the reviews yet is that Cornelia's two twin sisters, Agnes and Agatha, two girls who are Samntha's age, are changed! Agnes, to my knowledge, is Cornelia's older sister, who has a daughter named (you guessed it) Agatha. I missed the two feisty red-heads!

Although they lost some of the books heart and plot (the books are fifty pages each, people! Not too hard to adapt!) I was pleased how wonderfully done this movie was. It was eye-candy, too. The houses and scenery was delicious. I loved AnnaSophia Robb as Samantha, but Mia Farrow wasn't exactly the Grandmary I was hoping for. Someone a bit more aged and strict, but you can't ask for much. I hope they make movies on the other American girls as well!

My friend and I watched this movie and we both loved it!! I was afraid they would make the movie different from the books, but it was very accurate. Any American Girl fans will love this movie.

I saw this movie on WB and I must say this movie is one of the very good movies that I have seen. Especially Samantha's (AnnaSophia Robb) performance is outstanding. Such a talent at her age is brilliant. Just waiting to buy the DVD version on release !

This movie is a beautiful adaptation of the American Girl book series "Samantha". The story revolves around Samantha who is an orphan living with her GrandMary in 1904 Mt. Bedford, New York. Samantha is being raised by her grandmother as her parents died in a boat accident while she was an infant. As the movie begins Samantha is playing with Eddie Rylan, her neighbor. Samantha's grandmother is raising her to take her place in society, however Samantha likes to run, jump and climb trees, quite the contrast to what her GrandMary has in mind. The Rylan's have recently hired an Irish immigrant family from New York City to serve as their live in servants. The family is comprised of a widower,Mr. O'Malley and his three daughters, Nellie, Bridget and Jenny. The family had lived in New York City where the girls worked in a thread factory to support their family. After meeting the O'Malley's Samantha's Uncle Gardner comes to visit with his fiancee' Corneila. Samantha is not pleased with their engagement, but over time accepts Corneila as part of their family and even gives Corneila her mother's wedding veil after hers is destroyed by fire. Samantha moves to New York City to live with Uncle Garnder and Aunt Cornelia while GrandMary leaves to visit relatives out of state. While living in New York Samantha discovers that the O'Malley sisters have lost their father and are living at Cold Rock Orphange which is controlled by the nasty Mrs. Frouchy. Samantha also discovers that Mrs. Frouchy is embellzing money from the orphange and has plans to split up the O'Malley sisters by sending Nellie on the orphan train. Samantha and Nellie plan for the girls escape, which leads them to Uncle Gardner and Aunt Corneila's attic. All is going well until Bridget becomes sick, leaving Samantha to confess to her Aunt and Uncle what she has done. In the meantime Gardner and Cornelia learn of what really goes on at Cold Rock Orphange and through Mrs. Vandergelds assistance bring an end to the reign of Mrs. Frouchy. In the end Uncle Gardner and Aunt Corneila ask Samantha to stay with them permanently as GrandMary is getting married. On Christmas morning there is a surprise for everyone, Gardner and Corneila are planning to adopt the O'Malley girls so Samantha will have sisters and they will be a family.
This movie was faithful to the original books, the screenplay, casting, directing and musical score are brillant!
This movie is one you will want to watch again and again with your family.

This movie was so touching! I think the American Girl Movies and books teach so much history and goodness to the girls of today. Samantha - An American Girl Holiday, is a must have for all American Girl fans.