Polyanna (1960)

Polyanna is an iconic children's film about an orphan girl who always looks on the bright side, and shows an entire town how to do the same. Through her eternal optimism, she slowly worms her way into the hearts of the town members. It's a feel good movie.

After the death of her parents, Polyanna moves in with her wealthy aunt who lives in a small town where she holds a lot of influence. Everyone Polyanna meets seems to be either miserable in one way or another, or if they are not miserable themselves, are repressed by miserable people. As she interacts with these people however, she slowly begins to change their perspective by showing them how to be optimistic. She plays what she calls 'the glad game', where the objective is to find something to be glad about in a bad situation. As more people are influenced by her, the town becomes happier overall and more closely knit.

This isn't my favourite movie. It has a sacchrinely sweet plot and character who is almost portrayed as an airhead most of the time. Polyanna is a nice girl, and had a nice message to give, but half the time she's staring off into space or in her own world. It seems like they were trying too hard to capture that carefree innocence of youth, and end up with a dazed looking girl who seems like she's hearing voices. As for her happy game, there is actually a term for it, The Polyanna Effect. It describes someone who refuses to acknowledge any negative aspect in their lives, which of course can be harmful to someone's overall well-being. This isn't exactly the whole message of the film, but it's pretty much the main idea.

I'm an optimistic person myself, but some of the interactions she has with other characters as she tries to brighten their day and change their perspective on life are unrealistic and oversimplifying. For a better film series I would recommend Anne of Green Gables, or even better the TV show Road to Avonlea. These stories have a bit more depth and feeling, and are more realistic. The characters are also very strong and spunky.

The film overall is a decent watch, and I recommend watching it, but look into the other films recommended.

The Trouble With Angels (1966)

This is a great comedy about two reluctant girls, Mary and Rachel, who meet up and become best friends when they are sent to a convent school. Mary is a very head-strong, mischievous girl and comes up with several 'scathingly brilliant ideas' for her and Rachel to get up to and more often than not these escapades get them in trouble with mother superior. The girls are your average delinquents, skipping out on classes and trying to spice up an otherwise unpleasant experience, but they put their hearts into everything they do, which more often than not ends up in their scrubbing pots.

I guess one of the first things I'd like to say about this movie is that though it takes place in a convent, there's no more religion in it than there is in The Sound of Music. When I attempt to recommend this movie to people, the one who aren't religious don't want to watch it because they think it will be all about religion and the ones who are want to watch it for the same reason. But it's not a religious film at all. There's more focus placed on the trouble the girls get themselves into and the situations they're faced with than there is on this movie try to convert you. Yes they talk about God and how great religion is, but that's how society was back then, and many older films will have religious sentiments expressed... but unless you are very insecure about your own stance on morality, there is no reason to avoid an otherwise pleasant and comedic film.

Onto the film itself. I really enjoyed the characters. Mary was such a headstrong girl and was very reluctant to be sent to the school in the first place, but she never had any malicious thoughts or intentions about anybody. Her schemes that got both her and Rachel into trouble were only thought up out of boredom. She's one of those people in your life that will leave a mark on your memory. She's like a shooting star, a bright, energetic person who will always be proactive and optimistic no matter the situation. Rachel on the other hand was more of a follower, but was just as energetic and rebellious as Mary.

The film is a comedy, but is not slapstick humour, nor is it like present day cheesy Hannah Montana ish comedy either. It's more situational humour, like I Love Lucy. It's not all comedy either. There are a few serious moments, and actually one very sad moment that always makes me tear up. The scene when they're in the old folks home and Mary overhears mother superior consoling an old woman whose family won't be visiting her this Christmas. Gets me every time. But the serious moments make the funny moments that much funnier, and make the film over all that much more memorable.