Harriet the Spy (1996)

"One of the Top 10 family films of all time.  Ted Baehr, Movie Guide

Editor's Note Eleven-year-old Harriet's (Michelle Trachtenberg) obsession for observation is well-chronicled in her most treasured possession: a notebook marked "Private," in which she collects her frequently unflattering--though accurate--thoughts about those around her. When her classmates discover her penchant for "spying," however, they're anything but amused. Adapted from the 1964 book by Louise Fitzhugh.

	Gregory Smith
	Michelle Trachtenberg
	Rosie O'Donnell
	Vanessa Lee Chester
	Louise Fitzhugh - Based On Novel By
	Francis Kenny - Cinematographer
	Bronwen Hughes - Director
	Debra Chiate - Editor
	Marykay Powell - Producer
	Theresa Rebeck - Screenplay
	Douglas Petrie - Screenplay

The film adaptation of Louise Fitzhugh's bestselling children's novel, about Harriet, an independent, intelligent girl whose aspiration to become a writer ultimately lands her in some very hot water...| Encouraged by her sharp nanny, Harriet secretly begins writing about her observations of the world around her. This includes VERY candid (and often uncomplimentary) things about her schoolmates and buddies, including her two best friends.| But Harriet's life is turned upside-down when classmates find her treasured notebook and read it aloud for everyone to hear. Feeling insulted and betrayed, the kids then retaliate against Harriet in the cruelest of ways. The young writer, now hated, isolated and embarrassed, must find a way to rebound from this unenviable situation.

"I want to replicate my own DNA and win the Nobel Prize!" ---- Janie (VANESSA LEE CHESTER)

"I want to play more baseball games than Cal Ripken Jr. and get filthy rich doing it!" ---- Sport (GREGORY SMITH)

"I want to see the whole world and write everything down!" ---- Harriet (MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG)

USA Today
"...This spunky movie takes daring detours all the time..." -- 3 out of 4 stars 07/10/1996 p.8D

Entertainment Weekly
"...WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE for pre-adolescents....The glee and neurotic terror of a kid lurching into adult consciousness..." -- Rating: B 07/19/1996 pp.58-9

Variety
"...A sweet-natured morality tale....Trachtenberg is fresh and natural....Her interactions with O'Donnell, who lends her character the right balance of eccentricity and maturity, are particularly enjoyable..." 07/15/1996

New York Times
"...[Trachtenberg] gives a performance that is endearing..." 07/10/1996 p.C11

Los Angeles Times
"...A smart-kid movie, with big lessons and even some subtlety..." 07/10/1996 p.F4

Chicago Sun-Times 6 of 10
The materials are here for a better film. The director, Bronwen Hughes, has made one more suited for the after-school slot on Nickelodeon than for theatrical release, where it simply isn't in the same league with The Secret Garden or A Little Princess (whose Vanessa Lee Chester plays a best pal again this time).

Still, sometimes the materials of a movie like this work on audiences not much concerned with style or polish. Harriet is a good role model, a smart, curious girl who keeps her eyes open and writes everything down. - Roger Ebert

James Berardinelli's ReelViews 7 of 10
As I look back over this summer's general releases, I have to admit that, at least to date, Harriet the Spy stands alongside, if not slightly above, the best of them. Hopefully, the same fate will not befall this movie as that which sunk last year's A Little Princess. This is as entertaining a family film as is likely to come out all year, topping Disney's lukewarm The Hunchback of Notre Dame and towering well above Flipper. And you certainly don't need children by your side to appreciate what Harriet the Spy has to offer. As the cliche goes, good things do indeed come in small packages. - James Berardinelli