The Greening of Whitney Brown

The Greening of Whitney Brown is a delightful 2011 family adventure film directed by Peter Skillman Odiorne. The movie features a star-studded lineup including Samantha Hanratty, Brooke Shields, and Aidan Quinn.

The Greening of Whitney Brown captures the life-altering experiences of Philly-born and bred, Whitney Brown, a spoilt pre-teen played magnificently by Samantha Hanratty. Her life, once filled with school, shopping sprees and hanging out with friends in the city, takes a sharp turn due to unexpected family financial turmoil. After her father, played by Aidan Quinn, loses his high-end job, the Browns are forced to uproot their comfortable city life and move into their old ancestral house in the countryside. This change is not welcomed by the previously city-loving Whitney.

Brooke Shields stars as Whitney's mother, demonstrating an impeccable performance as a supportive mother figure who tries to help her children adapt to this new rural life. Despite being taken out of her comfort zone, her mother tries to show her the richness that life can offer beyond the urban jungle.

The worker-bees atmosphere in Philadelphia is replaced by a rustic countryside lifestyle in the family's old farmhouse, far removed from the glamorous city life Whitney is accustomed to. Whitney finds herself thrown into the deep end, facing many hurdles such as attending a new school where she is perceived as an outsider, dealing with a mischievous pair of raccoons and getting accustomed to the new chores that the rural environment demands.

Whitney's life begins to change after she finds solace in an unlikely friendship with an extraordinary horse named Bob. Unruly and temperamental, Bob acts as a parallel character to Whitney as both the horse and the girl struggle to manage their new environment. However, with time, Bob helps Whitney transition from a city girl to a country gal. The horse not only becomes a reliable companion but also leads to her fascination with horse riding. Through her association with Bob, Whitney learns to empathize, develop responsibility and above all, discover herself.

A special mention needs to be given to Kris Kristofferson, who plays Dusty – a cowboy from Whitney's past who plays an instrumental part in her transitory phase. Dusty's character brings a certain warmth, wisdom, and serenity to the narrative. He guides Whitney through her challenges, providing her with valuable life lessons and insights. Portrayed as a fatherly figure, Dusty teaches Whitney about the significance of values like patience, kindness, courage, and love not only towards fellow human beings but also towards animals.

The storyline of the movie is beautifully woven and brings out a compelling narrative of transformation and growth. It amalgamates a city girl's journey of self-realization and maturity into the rural lands of America. It’s an excellent family movie filled with emotions, lessons, life values and offers both a humorous and touching angle on growing up.

This film is an exemplary coming-of-age tale, demonstrating the struggles faced by Whitney and the resulting transformation. Through her journey from city to country, Whitney gains invaluable life lessons, learns to adapt to new surroundings, and finds an unlikely friend in Bob, a beautiful horse. The narrative is filled with heart-touching bonds, laugh-out-loud moments and a refreshing outlook on life amid unexpected changes.

The film beautifully explores relationships – familial ties, bonds of friendship and the extraordinary relationship between humans and animals. Notably, the strong portrayal of emotional growth and adaptability against the backdrop of unexpected life changes makes this film a must-watch. The film is filled with lucid visuals of the countryside, offering a pleasant contrast to Whitney's high-energy city life.

The Greening of Whitney Brown is an inspiring family film that appeals to both children and adults alike. It is engaging, thought-provoking and beautifully captures the essence of personal growth and self-realization. The performances by the cast, especially Samantha Hanratty's portrayal of Whitney Brown, are genuinely commendable. Fun and entertaining yet filled with a powerful message about embracing change and personal growth, The Greening of Whitney Brown is a film that is sure to delight viewers of all ages.