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Her Best Move

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Teen girl soccer tale has more heart than plot.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Regina spreads a rumor that Sara said Josh "kisses like a dead squid" because she's jealous of her soccer skills. Sara has to choose between disappointing her father and having a full life.
  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Josh and Sara kiss on a few occasions.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Nike and Cold Stone Creamery are prominently displayed.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Her Best Move was written by Heather Boerner

Parents need to know that Sara's parents are estranged -- Dad is sleeping at his office -- which may be difficult for some kids of divorced parents.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about how teens in the family cope with the pressure to please parents, do well in school, and figure out what they want to do with their lives. How would they cope with an opportunity like the one Sara had? Would they give it up to be a regular teen?
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More on Her Best Move

What’s the Story?

HER BEST MOVE centers around 15-year-old Sara (Leah Pipes), who has been groomed by her soccer coach father (Scott Patterson) to be the youngest member of the women's national soccer team. Rejected for the team once already, Sara gets a second chance. But as she starts to explore life outside her rigorous training schedule -- including taking dance with best friend Tutti (Lalaine) and a budding romance with the school's shutterbug Josh (Drew Tyler Bell) -- she starts to wonder whether that's what she really wants. She has to face a choice confronted by a lot of teens: Does she go for achievement for achievement's sake and win her father's approval, or does she opt out for a normal life?

Is It Any Good?

Like its main character, Sara (Leah Pipes), Her Best Move is smart, sensitive, and sincere -- and it doesn't know where it wants to go. An earnest coming-of-age film, it will resonate with the parents of high-achieving teens. And teens will identify with the very normal Sara and her travails. But that doesn't mean it has a plot, exactly. While it's authentic and has heart, it's a little short on dramatic tension.

It's so clear from the beginning that Sara isn't determined to be a soccer star that the viewer starts to root for her to stay at home. And while that's probably healthy, it doesn't do much for the plot. What's great in the film are the little touches -- especially the look into the life of a supergirl who works, studies, plays a sport, and is trying to figure out her future besides. For that alone, it's worth watching.

Movie Details

Studio: Summertime Films, Director: Norm Hunter
Run time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release: 10/17/2006, DVD release: 08/19/2008
MPAA Rating: G for general audiences

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages

    a Better Disney movie

    This movie was cute in many areas. I would have to say this is one of the better disney pruductions!ha! i would say that I would let ten years old and up watch this movie, because there is a lot of high schoolish stuff. But I wouldn't miss out on this movie.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Great Family Viewing

    We almost passed over the movie because of the rating, but went to see it at the Rhode Island Film Festival. My 15 year old daughter was dubious about the prospects and was influencing the 12 year old's attitude. Well, they both got completely caught up in the movie, as was the whole crowd - never a slow moment, the funny stuff sprinkled around the drama, the soccer and the romance - they all LOVED it. Although there is nothing really racy in the movie, the boy and girl are falling in love and it really comes through in a sweet way, but the G rating may be misleading - they should provably rate it a PG just to let everyone know that it's not a little kids movie. My wife liked it as much or more than the kids. I think it's 5 stars, and the music is great.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

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