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Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front (NR, 2006)

common sense media says

American Girl learns about sacrifice during WWII.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that family members and friends enlist to fight in World War II in this movie, and not all of them come back home. One character has been evacuated from London during the Blitz, and her mother was killed in the bombing. Molly's family is extremely close, and they provide support to one another during a family member's absence. They also help neighbors and friends during this difficult time.

Positive messages: Positive messages of sacrifice, compassion, and community support.
Violence & scariness: The story takes place on the home front, but it talks about the death of friends and a character's mother abroad.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: For a movie prompted by a doll in the American Girl empire, commercialism is very low-key. While many of the products, costumes, and sets are available for dolls from the American Girl catalog and store, the only real sign of the products is a small $10 coupon sticker on the packaging.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
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More on Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the types of sacrifices that Molly's family made in support of the war effort: her father, her mother, and Molly herself. They recognized when something needed to be done and didn't wait for others to do it. Are there ways that you can help others around you right now, perhaps focusing on families who have soldiers fighting in the Middle East? What did you learn about life during WWII? How realistic do you think this depiction of the WWII era is?

What's the story?

What's the story?
AMERICAN GIRL ON THE HOME FRONT takes place in Jefferson, Ill., in 1943, and Molly McIntyre (Maya Ritter) and her other friends in the third grade are obsessed with movie stars and their lovely teacher, Miss Campbell (Sarah Manninen). Molly's world changes when her doctor father (David Aaron Baker) enlists and her mother Helen (Molly Ringwald) takes a job in a machinery plant. Emily (Tory Green), a young English evacuee, comes to live with the family to escape the London bombing and brings with her personal stories of the war. Molly gets a first-hand understanding of the need to sacrifice in support of the war effort, deferring her own needs and feelings to help the greater good. She learns to empathize with her strict neighbor and the initially reserved Emily, and family support takes center-stage. And, Molly is determination to be crowned "Miss Victory," the lead dancer in a school tap dance show, despite her lack of obvious talents.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front is a heartfelt and entertaining movie. Molly learns about sacrifice, compassion, and self-confidence as she and her family cope with the direct and indirect impacts of World War II. The movie moves along at a good clip, interspersing newsreel footage and radio broadcasts in a manner that educates kids about life on the home front during WWII without them even realizing it. Period costumes, music, and sets make the story sparkle. Ritter is earnest and enthusiastic in her role, and more natural than some of the adult actors in the movie.

As a nice touch, the DVD includes a captivating interview with a woman who tap-danced for USO shows during WWII, with dance instruction so viewers can replicate the Miss Victory tap dance.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Home Video
Director: Joyce Chopra
Cast: David Aaron Baker, Maya Ritter, Molly Ringwald
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 85 minutes
Theatrical release: November 28, 2006
DVD release: November 28, 2006
MPAA Rating: NR
MPAA explanation: not rated
This review was written by Nancy Davis Kho
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8

Most useful reviews by all members

doggielover19
kid, 12 years old
7
 
very good,A.G fans will love it!
good tale and even though there is talk of death and war molly and emily's story is a good one.
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sara4ever95
teen, 16 years old
6
 
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Keds43@aol.com
teen, 17 years old
 
Best AG Books and Movie!
I remember reading these books when I was in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades. When they started making the AG movies, I couldn't wait until this movie came out. I'm so happy they fianlly made it! They adapted the books very well. Some of the stuff wasn't correct, but they did a good job. The main actress, Maya Ritter, was a very good Molly. Tory Green was an excellent Emily. I don't think she's British in real life, so she did an excellent job with the accent. This movie was great! Get the DVD as soon as you can!
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (4)
Brynsusan
adult
6
 
Good method for bringing U.S. History to life.
The American Girl Historical Fiction books and movies make excellent family movie & reading night choices allowing for good conversation opportunities to discuss changing and often challenging times in U.S. History.
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CSM Screen ...
adult
 
Old fashioned quality tv
I sat and watched this with my daughters ages 10 & 11. I found it a little boring, but they both enjoyed it and I know they learned a little history. I think the best age group would be 7-12, however, I would let a 5 year old watch it with me. There is no violence, but it does deal with death and of course war. It would be a good way to introduce the subject of war to a child.
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angela12
parent of 19 year old
9
 
love it
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fastraxsg
parent of 6 and 10 year old
8
 
Better than I thought...
I think this movie really explains what its like to be in world war. Girls really fall into the movie and feel emotions. Personally, it was better than I thought it would be.
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MikaylaaMadisonn
teen, 16 years old
 
This movie is soooooooo sweet and cute. Teaches lessons about friendship and commentment
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2kool4u
teen, 15 years old
 
I could not wait to see what was next!
molly
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qdesigns6
teen, 14 years old
 
This is a good movie for kids ages 9 and up.
I would say pretty much 8 and up but because of the violence and saddness it is 9 and up. I gave this movie 4 stars because the way Molly is in the movie is not the way she is in the books. In the books Molly is a very cheerful girl and in the movie she is kind of boring......................................................................but this movie is a pretty nice film . I would say buy the dvd because you will learn about the movie dolls and they are very cute i am a big huge fan of american girl I have a Just Like YOu doll named Amanda. :))
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KatGirl94
teen, 17 years old
 
Fun but informative!
I am homeschooled and we often watch movies about certain eras to make history more fun. This movie is very informative about World War II, but it is also interesting and fun. It doesn't feel like a documentary at all! FIVE STARS!
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Softballbabe11
teen, 15 years old
 
Too Great!
It was a cute movie and so was the book (books) I loved reading the book (books)and watching the movie. It was great for all ages young and old!
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