Vacation with Derek
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sweet movie celebrates kids' ties in a blended family.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
VACATION WITH DEREK is a made-for-TV movie based on the Canadian comedy series Life with Derek. The movie picks up after the series’ end and centers on the McDonald-Venturi kids’ ill-fated trip to the country to visit their grandmother at her lakeside lodge. Felicia (Kate Trotter) is excited to see her biological granddaughters, Casey (Ashley Leggat) and Lizzie (Jordan Todosey), but the unexpected arrival of their three stepsiblings doesn’t sit well with her, and the appalling behavior of Derek (Michael Seater) and Edwin (Daniel Magder) doesn’t help matters at all. As if the family stress wasn’t enough, Felicia’s also facing pressure to sell her land to a greedy land developer, and when his true intentions come to light, the whole family must pull together to save the day.
Is It Any Good?
Vacation with Derek is a comedy with a lot of heart. Its family-centered themes are the biggest stand-outs, sending heartwarming messages about the transcending nature of love and unity in a blended family like the McDonald-Venturi household. Derek’s behavior is enough to make his family want to disown him at times, but when it really counts, he can champion a cause -- or a family member -- like no other.
Look a little deeper, though, and you’ll notice the story also includes positive notes about finding your life’s passion, following your heart, and standing up for what you believe is right. Romantic relationships are portrayed in a positive, responsible light, and there’s no iffy content to speak of throughout the story. If that’s not enough, there’s also the underlying environmental crisis surrounding Felicia’s land, which can instigate family discussions about related conservation issues in the real world.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about family relationships. In what ways is the McDonald-Venturi family similar to yours? How is it different? Can you relate to the sibling rivalry among the kids? Do you think your family would respond to a crisis in a manner similar to how they did? Why or why not?
What messages does this movie send about personal responsibility and following your heart? Which characters exemplified these characteristics in the story? What issues are important to you? How far would you go for a good cause?
In what ways does the story reflect current environmental issues? In what areas of the world are animal habitats most threatened? What is the trickle-down effect of species’ extinction? Of the eradication of plant life? How can we better balance the need for progress with the need to protect our natural resources?
TV Details
- Premiere date: March 6, 2011
- Cast: Ashley Leggat, Jordan Todosey, Michael Seater
- Network: Starz Kids and Family
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Book Characters
- Character Strengths: Integrity, Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: September 19, 2019
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