Thanks to Alex Stroup and Lisa Perkis for the interesting read. We'll rent this one.

I wished the film had a little more of the light, feel-good aspects of more recent Disney “made for 'tween girls” films. Instead, we were subjected to a lot of yelling, crying, and angry glares from all the leading characters. Michelle Tractenberg plays the Harvard-bound Casey Carlyle, who spends most of the film being manipulated by adults who don't understand her or wish her ill will.

It sounds like they did, indeed, aim for a "real-life feel". My 12 year-old is a state-ranked figure skater. It's a cut-throat sport with an awful lot of skater moms in those stands.

You know you're getting old when Joan Cusack is playing the mother who does something "late in life". :rolleyes:

Helen, I would be really interested to see what your skater girl thinks of this movie. They did show quite a bit of the nutty parent politics--actually, NONE of the parents were portrayed as reasonable. In trying to be realistic they left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. I felt the skating scenes looked really good--but I'm no expert--Cleo would know much more about that aspect.

And what's with Michelle Kwan's cleavage--she was really out there! :eek:

And what's with Michelle Kwan's cleavage--she was really out there!
Hahahaha.... Lisa said "Michelle Kwan's cleavage" -- for some reason I find that funny!

Hahahaha.... Lisa said "Michelle Kwan's cleavage" -- for some reason I find that funny!
I have to agree with Lani, but mostly because I was unaware Michelle had any to put 'out there'. :eek:

:p :p

That's why I was so shocked--it filled up about a quarter of the screen, I swear. Maybe it was a digital enhancement thing--I have no idea. ;)

Andrew, not only did she do something later in life but she looked late in life.

Actually, I was suprised just how much Cusack and Cattrall were allowed to look their ages. That's a good thing, but it was a surprise.

Actually, I was suprised just how much Cusack and Cattrall were allowed to look their ages. That's a good thing, but it was a surprise.

Well, weren't they supposed to be witchy has-beens living vicariously through their daughters? Or am I reading too much into that ;)

I'd rather see them looking their ages as "happy" characters.

Adrienne

I never got the sense that either character was unhappy, just that they were putting too much expectation on their children.

Andrew, not only did she do something later in life but she looked late in life.

Actually, I was suprised just how much Cusack and Cattrall were allowed to look their ages. That's a good thing, but it was a surprise.

Alex, I noticed the same thing. I think its great that women like Kim Cattrall are portrayed as moms and not pretending to be twentysomethings.

One reviewer wrote, "It not only is a film about 11 year olds, but appears to be made by 11 year olds." Hee Hee!