Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

In 1934 Cincinnati, Ohio, a preteen girl (Abigail Breslin) dreams of being a reporter, even as her parents (Julia Ormond, Chris O’Donnell) struggle to keep their heads above the Great Depression; eventually, she turns detective to solve a crime wave that threatens her home. Ann Peacock’s script (from Valerie Tripp’s stories for young readers) rushes the solution to the mystery a bit, and a few stray anachronisms sneak into director Patricia Rozema’s careful period detail; still, the movie is sweet-tempered and endearing, mining several layers of nostalgia (old movies, Nancy Drew stories, ABC After School Specials). Rozema has an expert supporting cast, too: Stanley Tucci, Joan Cusack, Glenne Headly, Wallace Shawn, Jane Krakowski among the adults; and Zach Mills, Madison Davenport and Willow Smith for the kids.