Smart Cookies (2012)

A high-maintenance realtor forced to do community service must lead a group of hopeless girl scouts in the regional cookie drive competition.

Director:

Robert Iscove

Writers:

Kelli Pryor, Neal H. Dobrofsky,

Stars:

Jessalyn Gilsig, Bailee Madison, Ty Olsson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jessalyn Gilsig	...	Julie
Bailee Madison	...	Daisy
Ty Olsson	...	Tom Royce
Samantha Ferris	...	Hazel
Patricia Richardson	...	Lola
Claire Corlett	...	Frank
Maddy Yanko	...	Emma
Michelle Creber	...	Mattie
Melody B. Choi	...	Paris
Britt Irvin	...	Paige
Colin Lawrence	...	Troy
Adam Young	...	Boy
Claudette Mink	...	Erica
Kathryn Kirkpatrick	...	Realtor #1
Patti Allan	...	Realtor #2

Storyline

A high-maintenance realtor forced to do community service must lead a group of hopeless girl scouts in the regional cookie drive competition.

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Genres:

Adventure

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 August 2012 (USA)

Also Known As:

La guerre des cookies

Filming Locations:

Langley, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Front Street Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

119 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.147 (2012)

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Soundtracks

"Ignite"
Written by Melinda Caroll
Performed by Michelle Creber
Produced by Monique Creber
Recorded by Michael Creber and Mike Cashin
Performed during the cookie drive scene.

User Reviews

Don't Fall Off the Cliff

This is an absolutely bog-standard Hall Channel TV movie. Jessalyn Gilsig is a fast-talking, glib real estate saleswoman whose wardrobe consists solely of business suits. She is trying to sell a hideous ultra-modern home by having the kitchen repainted mushroom and putting an apple pie on display to give it that lived-in look. Of course her boss decides she is just the woman to lead a troop of girl scouts, each of whom has enormous issues -- presumably this is to give them personality and some obvious hooks to hang their improvements on.

This being exactly like every other poor Hallmark TV comedy, it quickly becomes evident that 1: no one has any talent for physical comedy; 2: Gilsig will fall in love with the obnoxious working-class father of the girl scout who talks the most; and 3: they will become involved in a fierce competition to sell more cookies than the perfect girl scouts and will win through grit and gumption.

There's nothing wrong with this plot and were it offered with any sign of someone on hand to do anything to make it stand out, I might be less harsh in this review. However, the only thing that stands out is the abrupt change in lighting levels, from a gloomy flat lighting in the beginning that suddenly changes to a brighter, yellower level to reflect the change in attitude of Ms. Gilsig. The actors on hand seem handsome and competent, even if their performances are exactly like those of every other actor in the equivalent roles in other bad Hallmark TV romcoms.

Unfortunately, whether because they considered this an undesirable job or because they are simply hacks with no real interest in their jobs, the people behind the cameras have performed their work by doing whatever is obvious and easy. It takes more than showing up, putting out an apple pie and smiling at the customer to sell a house. It also calls for more than that to make an interesting TV movie.