‘SMART COOKIES’ (2012)

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Celebrating a centennial event last year inspires this. A little TV film starring the always adorable Bailee Madison (Once Upon a Time), it tells a surprisingly cute, if not common story centering on the Girl Scouts. It’s a script that left me thrilled to pieces by its endearing prowess at its conclusion.  

Smart Cookies (2012) Hallmark TV Film Review

Moving from no-where-ville Alaska to a smaller community that actually has a population seems like a good idea at the time. With a move comes the opportunity for young Daisy (Madison) to make new friends. This is just what her father wants for her, but she soon realizes that she’s quite unprepared to hold together a leaderless girl scout troop. Yet, the job falls to her. Enter Julie Sterling (Jessalyn Gilsig), a determined real estate agent who makes her living lying to clients just to enviable promotions.

Much to Julie’s dismay, her boss (Patricia Richardson) volunteers Julie to lead the Fireflies as a part of a community outreach. Now instead of neat showings and a perfectionist lifestyle, Julie car-pools. Julie Sterling, saleswoman extraordinaire may have met her match.  

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Writers, whether they’re of the publishing or screen sector, seem to lack good approaches when it comes time to wrap a story; writing really good endings to otherwise sweet stories seems a failing these recent years. Specifically speaking of this film, I thought it hit all the right strides. There’s cuteness overload, a group of kids learn self-worth, and then just when you’re nestled in that cocoon of goofy grins, the movie loses it. Like, why-are-the-girls-crying, running-after-a-bus losing it. The whole ordeal seems overly dramatic and more of an awkward scene meant to inspire emotion – what writers tried to do and what they didn’t do are two very different things. 

Distracting from the usual flaws is a fun cast! Though unfamiliar with Gilsig’s credits, I like her in the lead role. It’s also fun to see Patricia Richardson in something again. Plus, of course, the always brimming with personality Bailee Madison is adorable in the role of Daisy. Also in the cast list is Ty Olsson and Michelle Creber. Several instances of the script are fantastic. Such as the girl’s barbs (particularly one of them “assessing” whether or not there is chemistry between Julie and a romantic interest) or the mishaps in the house showings.

In the end, this is a darling charm of a movie. It’s got some pizzazz and there are no “baddies” to wish ill-will on. (For a crime-loving fandom girl like myself, that can sometimes be a welcoming breath of fresh air!) It’s sassy and sweet. Kinda’ like a thin mint cookie.

Content; there is some minor issues parents might wish to be aware of. There’s insinuations a girl overeats or the sweet attempts another makes at matchmaking; and a third girl is also “boy crazy” though it never goes too far. There’s some pranks on rival troops.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

6 comments

  1. I enjoyed reading your review, this is a movie I would watch. Have you ever watched Troop Beverley Hills? It's also about a bunch of misfit girl scouts only they rich. I think that it's refreshing how you say that there are no baddies in the movie, usually there's some kind of evil developer threatening to take away the youth centre or forest or a rival troop.

    http://jonbearandcarlyngirl.blogspot.com.au/

    1. Thank you for taking the time to read it, Carlyn! Appreciate you stopping by. :) No, I haven't seen the movie you asked about. Perhaps at some point I will; sounds like a really cute premise. I hope you get a chance to see Smart Cookies at some point.

      For a girl who is a part of SEVERAL crime show fandoms, a movie that's wholesome and cute is always refreshing! :)

  2. I like Bailee Madison. I've seen her in a few other movies and think she's quite a good actress for her age! I didn't watch this one when it came on the Hallmark Channel, but it definitely sounds cute. :)

    1. It sure is, Kara! I enjoyed it very much. Any Hallmark makes me smile though I have certain ones that rank "better" than others. :)

      Hope you can see this one soon.

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