Persuasion

Kids who loved the modern Jane Austen-inspired movies like Clueless, or warmed up to Austen with Keira Knightly's turn in Pride & Prejudice may still find PERSUASION too boring and slow-moving at first. But if they can stay in there, they'll be rewarded with a satisfying love story featuring a strong, smart lead character worth applauding. It takes till about halfway through the 100-minute film for the romance to get going, and when it does, it's in a demure, Jane Austen way. There's no cornering of Anne in a coat room. There are no Sex and the City hijinx. There are only moments when Fredrick offers Anne his umbrella or when her other suitor admits to wanting to flatter Anne for the rest of her life. Subtle at first, but many longing glances later lead the viewer to an attraction that positively crackles.

And because this is an adaptation of an Austen novel, Anne is smart, well-read, and kind. She's not the prettiest girl, but she's the most confident. She's the kind of girl most young female viewers might want to be friends with -- and whom they might also want to emulate. Especially as children hit the age when they are conducting Austen-like reconnaissance on their crushes du jour, Anne's restraint and sense of self are very instructive.