The Greening of Whitney Brown (2011)

Whitney, a spoiled pre-teen from Philadelphia, is forced to move to the country when her parents feel the squeeze of economic hard times. A fish out of water, far from her comfort zone, she... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Skillman Odiorne

Writer:

Gail Gilchriest

Stars:

Sammi Hanratty, Brooke Shields, Aidan Quinn

Cast

Credited cast:
Sammi Hanratty	...	Whitney Brown
Brooke Shields	...	Joan Brown
Aidan Quinn	...	Henry Brown
Kris Kristofferson	...	Dusty Brown
Charlotte Matthews	...	Lindsay
Keith David	...	Clerk
Slade Pearce	...	Ben
Anna Colwell	...	Alicia
Natalia Dyer	...	Lily
Lily Rashid	...	Olivia
Kodie Lake	...	Zack
Cameron Gaskins	...	Josh
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nicky Buggs	...	Home EC Teacher
Gerald Duckworth	...	Rich Man from Philly
Ime Etuk	...	Cab Driver

Storyline

Whitney, a spoiled pre-teen from Philadelphia, is forced to move to the country when her parents feel the squeeze of economic hard times. A fish out of water, far from her comfort zone, she befriends an amazing horse, and undertakes a misguided journey back to her old life, only to discover that her family is her home.

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Plot Keywords:

horse | moving | new home | family relationships | new school | 

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Taglines:

Life unfolds wherever you are.

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Genres:

Adventure

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Destination Home

Filming Locations:

Bowersville, Georgia

Box Office

Budget:

$9,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Perfect Weekend, Heavy Lifting

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sammi Hanratty received an introducing credit, even though she appeared in nine other features prior to this.

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Goofs

Early in the film the horse, Bob, is shown in a head shot close-up and he is wearing a bridle. The next shot shows no bridle.

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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.18 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"We All Shine On"
written By Michael Lloyd (I) and Greg O'Connor (II)

User Reviews

Bob, The Horse, drew Me In

A somewhat spoiled young Whitney Brown (Hanratti), who was just elected Class President of her High School Class in the city of Philadelphia is told by her parents that her father lost his job and they have to move. She is crushed and doesn't like it one bit. And, they move out to the country, and now all of them will have to start over.

This movie is a true sleeper.

I saw the promos for this and saw the horse and laughed at what I saw and knew I had to see this movie. I was hoping the funny promo wasn't the only funny thing in it. And, it wasn't. I laughed all the way thru and for me, that is saying a lot.

The real winners here are Sammie Hanratti and Bob, the horse . Whitney's grandfather (Kristofferson) says the horse has a mind of his own and is almost human. Her parents played by Brooke Shields and Aidan Quinn were very good as were the rest of the cast. But, they were not the story. Whitney and the horse were.

And, it is Bob, the horse, that gets you to LOL first and it's kind of shocking the way that happened. Very funny. You'll have to see for yourself. Whitney is a chatty baby and her incessant chattering was a breath of fresh air until we meet Bob. But, even after that her chatter was welcomed. Her dialogue was quick, funny and right on with her being stranded in the sticks with no friends. Well, except for Bob, the horse, of course. And, her constant chattering was her way of complaining to no one in particular. Well, that is to Bob, who seemed to know and understand more than most humans. Maybe he was almost human. Hard one to figure out.

I honestly didn't want this to end. I don't think I have enjoyed a movie this much for the longest time. This delivered a good story and ton of LOLs all the way to the end. Sequels? Hey, I'm there. This is a movie the whole family will enjoy for a long time.

As for Miss Hanratti, well the girls will just have to look over their shoulders from time to time. Yes, I mean: the Fannings, Breslins, and the like. This Hanratti person has a presence that could remind one of a young Shirley Temple. Anyway, that is what I came away with. Hey, I 've seen the promos for Shirley Temple they are hawking now. The "not sold in stores" enhanced videos kind of thing.

FYI: Bob the Horse is a Gypsy Vanner. To look at this breed right away you might think he is a Clydesdale.

If the title left out the word "greening" it might stand a better chance to be seen and appreciated. What would I choose as the title? Why,"Whitney and Bob the Horse" of course.

Read The Greening of Whitney Brown this way: The revitalization of Whitney Brown. Now, you got it. (10/10)

Violence: No. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Language: No.