Harriet the Spy

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J M I remember liking the idea of this movie more than the movie itself when I was a kid and I can see why now. It’s very stylish and 90s but the plot is an aimless mess. And the characters are “quirky” to the point that they’re just obnoxious and annoying. Unfortunately , this one is not a 90s kids classic like Matilda, A Little Princess or the Pagemaster, etc. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 04/15/25 Full Review Matthew D “I will always remember that face.” Canadian director Bronwen Hughes’ coming-of-age comedy-drama Harriet the Spy (1996) remains a wonderful family movie. I adored Michelle Trachtenberg immensely, so it was cathartic to see her alive again as a kid in her film debut. I’ll miss her dearly as an actress. I’ll always remember her as a skilled and charming actress. She’s really excellent and sympathetic as the lonesome girl Harriet. I like how Trachtenberg portrays Harriet who learns empathy and kindness for others after starting off as a more judgmental spoiled brat. Harriet the Spy could make kids want to be a writer like Harriet or a scientist like Janie. I loved Harriet the Spy when I was a little boy, so I’m delighted to report that it still holds up! Harriet the Spy really gave me nostalgia for my childhood. It has playful kids pranks, funny references, and tender family drama that’s surprisingly heartfelt. I was tearing up at the scene where Rosie O’Donnell’s nanny Golly leaves Harriet alone. I felt bad to Harriet being left all alone to her own devices, but her spy adventures looking in on all her neighbors is a ton of fun. I found the classroom drama between Harriet and her friends rather poignant and amusing too. They really don’t make charming family movies filled with great wisdom anymore. Writers Douglas Petrie and Theresa Rebeck adapted author Louise Fitzhugh’s children’s novel with a real empathy for the perspective of children. I think Harriet the Spy would be great for parents to show their kids about being kind to their friends, getting along with their fellow classmates, as well as being sensitive to the poor suffering without luxury. You could make the case for parents needing to be there for their kids when they are sad in addition to encouraging their hobbies to support a potential career path they are actually interested in for themselves. There’s a crucial lesson for parents not to argue and bicker in front of your kid also. Harriet’s parents have no real interest in understanding her until things get dire. Bronwen Hughes did a fantastic job directing Harriet the Spy for her lovely directorial debut. I was struck by the beautiful soft lighting and natural lighting through the trees in the park. It’s delightful to see Toronto in the Fall, where they shot the movie. I love that Harriet gets to see Mata Hari starring Greta Garbo since she likes spies! That’s such a cute idea! Casting director Jill Greenberg Sands cast the perfect mischievous Harriet with the sweet Michelle Trachtenberg. I like the large Canadian supporting ensemble that is very diverse. Michelle Trachtenberg is phenomenal as Harriet M. Welsch. She’s appropriately precocious and thoughtful as this little writer, who wants to be a spy. I love when you can see Trachtenberg’s emotional performance with her tearful eyes when her parents ignore her, her friends abandon her, or when Golly leaves her. She’s funny, playful, sweet, and moving here as Harriet the Spy. Rosie O'Donnell is fantastic as the kind, nurturing, amusing, and wise nanny Catherine "Ole Golly.” Rosie is surprisingly heartfelt and motherly towards Harriet in a really wonderful supporting role. You can tell Harriet sees her more as a mother than just a friend who listens. Gregory Smith is nice as Harriet’s poor best friend Sport. I was quite touched by his storyline just trying to get by with his impoverished father, played by the friendly Gerry Quigley. Vanessa Lee Chester is fun as the science wiz Janie Gibbs, who is one of Harriet’s closest friends. J. Smith-Cameron is very compelling as Harriet’s absent mother Violetta Welsch, who cannot understand her daughter’s feelings. Robert Joy is quite nice as Harriet’s father Ben Welsch, who tries to get Harriet’s perspective. Eartha Kitt gets a very funny cameo as the eccentric Agatha K. Plummer. Nancy Beatty’s pleasant teacher Miss Elson is very amusing talking to the kids. Roger Clark is so nice and understanding with Harriet as her children’s therapist Dr. Wagner. Charlotte Sullivan is excellent as the mean girl Marion Hawthorne with her own sorrows. Teisha Kim is also fun as Marion’s toadie Rachel Hennessy. Cecilley Carroll’s Beth Ellen Hansen, who is a girl obsessed with teen heartthrobs, is nice. Dov Tiefenbach’s Boy with Purple Socks and Nina Shock’s girl dealing with puberty named Carrie Andrews are great side characters. Editor Debra Chiate’s swift cuts keep Harriet’s life moving along. I liked the cuts that give us all her little spy adventures with neat cuts between her eyes and what she’s spying on everywhere. Cinematographer Francis Kenny’s beautiful wide shots of Toronto look spectacular. I was really pleasantly surprised by all the close-ups of Michelle Trachtenberg to let us into how Harriet is really feeling. Production designer Lester Cohen’s sets are awesome for Harriet’s lovely home. I want to live in this upper middle class home. Art director Paul D. Austerberry makes all the classrooms and bedrooms look so fun and colorful. Composer Jamshied Sharifi’s film score is awesome with plenty of upbeat jazz and funk music. Sound designer Randle Akerson captured clear voice recordings. Costume designer Donna Zakowska adorns the kids with layers and mismatched clothes in true 1990’s fashion. Makeup artist Donald Mowat and Hairstylist James D. Brown did fun and unique looks for each kid. In the end, Harriet the Spy is fabulous, funny, and moving for a brisk 100 minutes. This was an easy comfort watch for me. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/09/25 Full Review Horror fan 4 A very entertaining story about friendship and Revenge. Tim Treakle Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/07/25 Full Review Michael C One of my all time favorite nickelodeon movies of all times!!! The critics and the audience are horrible at rating good movies must be because they have no talent whatsoever!!! RIP MICHELLE TRACHTENBERG 😭 YOU WILL BE MISSED 😭 Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/01/25 Full Review Michael W This Nickelodeon movie was terrible. Michelle Trachtenberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Vanessa Lee Chester, Gregory Smith, Charlotte Sullivan, and the rest of the cast did a terrible job in this movie. The story of the movie was dull, tedious, and exhausting. It's about a girl who spies on people and is obsessed with her notebook. That's very strange. I was just a kid when this movie hit theaters, but I never saw it. If I did, I would say that this movie was terrible just like I'm saying right now. If you haven't seen this movie yet, don't waste your time. It's not worth it. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 09/24/23 Full Review Omri F I think people are missing the point. Yeah, she doesn't quite understand what being a spy means. That's childhood. It's about the balance of maintaining friendships and doing what you love, and I think that's a nice message. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Harriet the Spy

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