KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL
A heartfelt Depression-era family story where good triumphs.
Should You Watch It?
You get a gentle, lyrical family drama that takes hardship seriously without surrendering hope. The movie shows how the Great Depression affects one family and the people around them, then builds toward a heartfelt conclusion in which good triumphs and the impossible happens.
The film’s moral vision is mostly positive but not perfectly clear. A Robin Hood theme briefly makes stealing from the rich seem acceptable, and the eventual rebuke may not be clear enough for little children. Still, crime does not pay, discrimination is strongly rebuked, and the story includes gratitude to the good Lord and a genuinely celebratory Thanksgiving scene.
For a family movie with patience for a slow beginning, this is worth the trip.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESKit Kittredge is a girl living in Cincinnati during the Great Depression. She dreams of becoming a reporter and seems to have an ideal life, until the economic crisis reaches her family.
After Kit’s father loses his job, her mother takes in boarders to help the family survive. When a lock box containing the rent is stolen and hoboes across Ohio are blamed for thefts, Kit joins her friends in trying to solve the mystery.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a worthwhile family film with real strengths and a few shortcomings. The movie starts slowly, and the first part misses its plot point. But it ends with a big, heartfelt wallop and has a satisfying conclusion reminiscent of It’s a Wonderful Life.
The casting is superb, including Abigail Breslin in the title role. The music, settings and direction have great authenticity, giving the period story a convincing sense of place. The film’s emotional payoff helps overcome its unhurried beginning.
The Worldview
The original American Girl stories had faith-filled Christian histories, but this newer story does not have the same strong Christian foundation. Instead, its moral worldview is lightly confused by the Robin Hood idea that stealing from the rich can be good. The movie ultimately addresses that confusion, though the rebuke may not be clear enough for little children.
The film exalts perseverance, compassion for people suffering through hardship, and the conviction that crime does not pay. It also strongly rebukes discrimination. At the same time, its message leans toward self-reliance, suggesting that the right attitude can help a person deal with any problem. That message falls short of the Christian hope that we depend on God rather than ourselves.
The film includes a positive reference to thanking the good Lord, and its Thanksgiving scene becomes a celebration of gratitude. “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Light moral worldview slightly confused by a Robin Hood theme that is ultimately addressed with one positive reference to thanking “the good Lord,” a little girl initiation ceremony into their tree house with mumbo jumbo invocations and references to becoming one, a strong sense of self-reliance, a strong rebuke of discrimination, and a moral message that crime doesn’t pay; one light profanity (Oh God); some lightweight slapstick violence such as mobile librarian keeps running her truck into things and hits bad guy on back of head with shovel, several pratfalls; hugging and kissing within family; no nudity; toasting with wine at Thanksgiving; no smoking; and, nothing else objectionable.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film shows neighbors facing hardship during the Great Depression. How can Christians respond when people around them are in need?
Proverbs 19:17 · Galatians 6:2The story considers whether stealing from the rich can be justified. What does Scripture say about honesty, even when circumstances are difficult?
Exodus 20:15 · Ephesians 4:28Kit’s family must work together through loss and uncertainty. Where do you tend to rely on yourself instead of asking God for help?
Proverbs 3:5–6 · Philippians 4:6–7The Thanksgiving scene celebrates gratitude. What can you thank God for even in a difficult season?
1 Thessalonians 5:18 · Psalm 107:1The Final Word
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl is a warm, well-cast family drama with an authentic setting, a slow opening and a deeply satisfying finish. Its Robin Hood theme calls for a parent’s explanation, especially with younger children. For most families, it is WORTH THE TRIP.
