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The Greening of Whitney Brown Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 2.0
    33

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally unfavorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    The New York Times Jeannette Catsoulis

    As she learns the value of public schools and pickup trucks, her erstwhile friends in Philadelphia seem happy to be rid of her. By movie's end, you'll feel exactly the same.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Gary Goldstein

    After a grating start, the movie, directed by Peter Odiorne from a script by Gail Gilchriest ("My Dog Skip"), finds its way into warmer, more likable territory. That is, until it flies off the rails in a third act so devoid of logic it could have been concocted on the moon.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    Village Voice Nick Pinkerton

    This is intended as one of those kid's comeuppance stories, in which a new maturity is won through contact with salt-of-the-earth types and honest labor but is done with an almost total lack of charm.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Variety Ronnie Scheib

    This simplistic story of bucolic redemption has few pretensions to depth, ambiguity or realism, relying on its name cast, sprightly lead and a helluva horse to attract family audiences.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Michael Rechtshaffen

    The film, both in scope and tone, has a downsized vibe that would have made it a much better fit on an ABC Family than in a movie theater.

    Read Full Review

  • See all The Greening of Whitney Brown reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 9+

So-so tween riches-to-rags story has positive lesson.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Greening of Whitney Brown is a combination horse tale and fish-out-of-water story about a spoiled rich girl who "finds herself" after her parents lose their fortune and the family moves to a farm. There's nothing too objectionable beyond a bit of iffy language (mostly insults and the like), but the themes and subject matter (middle-school protagonist, mild romance, family drama) make this a better fit for tweens rather than younger elementary-school aged kids.

  • Families can talk about whether "reverse Cinderella" stories are as popular as "Cinderella" ones. What makes audiences want to see certain types of characters "put in their place"? Are those kinds of characters realistic? Does that matter?
  • What did Whitney learn about friendship and family while she was at the farm? Which of her friendships was unconditional, and which was based on her status?
  • Are tweens and teens as obsessed with money, designer brands, and luxury goods as Whitney and her first set of friends are? Is "class" an issue when it comes to school friendships?

The good stuff
  • message true3

    Messages: Positive messages focus around friendship and family. Kids will pick up on the theme that true friends don't lie about you behind your back or try to sabotage your other relationships. Whitney's growth throughout the movie may demonstrate how money isn't everything.

  • rolemodels true3

    Role models: Mr. and especially Mrs. Brown aren't shallow, money-grubbing rich folks; they're selfless and adaptable and, in Mrs. Brown's case, instantly take to their new surroundings and situations. Whitney herself learns that being in the country has its perks and that she wasn't always the kindest person when she was among her private-school friends.

What to watch for
  • violence false1

    Violence: Whitney falls into a lake and then off of a tree. Dusty shoots in the direction of Whitney, mistaking her for an animal or an intruder. Bob wreaks havoc on the school dance.

  • sex false1

    Sex: Whitney flirts with Ben, as do a couple of other girls. The Brown parents embrace.

  • language false1

    Language: Some mild insulting language like "loser," "liar," "snob," and "sucks."

  • consumerism false2

    Consumerism: Featured brands include Mini Cooper, Dell, American Express, Tory Burch shoes, and Apple computers and iPhone.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue

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© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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