This is a classic movie that my family owns. We love watching it with people who have never seen it and seeing their reaction.

It has been one of my daughter's favorites since she was eight years old. She just watched it with her friends during a sleep over for her thirteenth birthday and it was a big hit with all the girls.

This is a PG rated coming of age movie which is great for the whole family. The setting for the movie is a small town in 1972 during summer vacation.

Vadda Suttenfuss who is played by Anna Chumpsky is an eleven year old girl. Her mother died when she was born which has left her feeling sort of like an outcast especially with girls her age. She loves hanging out with her best friend, Thomas J who is played by MacCauley Caulken. He does a wonderful job playing her geeky friend.

It is really funny to see Vadda who is a hypochondriac run to the small town doctor with her latest illness. It is touching to see how compassionate the doctor is each time she visits. It is obvious that he realizes that she is at a difficult place in her life.

Her father, Dan Aykroyd, is a mortician so she hears about every illness which kills his clients. It was so funny when she thought she had problems with her prostate.

Vadda's father is so busy taking care of his funeral home and his senile mother who lives with him that some times Vadda needs get ignored. This seems to be fine until now when Vadda is growing up and life for her is getting more complicated.

Life seems fine until her father hires a new beautician to work in his funeral home. Jamie Lee Curtis becomes a threat initially to Vadda. She later helps Vadda with explanation of getting her period, boys, and makeup which she certainly won't find from her father.

This movie which is directed by Howard Zieff is one that I can watch over and over and still laugh and cry every time. One reason that this movie is so endearing is the relation ship between Thomas J and Vadda. They are best friends. It is obvious to everyone but Vadda that Thomas J sort of has a crush on her. Vadda gets her first kiss from Thomas J it is sure to make you swoon.

This is a very wholesome movie with the young characters who are very believable. The two best friends spend their summer days climbing trees, riding bikes, and becoming blood brothers. This is how we remember our summers being when we were children and wish that our children could experience this simple life too.

I am not going to give away the ending but it will surprise you. You will see the whole time come together to support the young girl, Vadda, after a terrible tragedy.

You can purchase this movie at most discount stores that sell movies. I got my copy from amazon.com. It runs a little less than two hours. This movie comes in both VHS and DVD format. I paid 12.99 for my copy and it is well worth it.

I highly recommend this movie as an addition to your familiy's movie library. It is one that both you and your children will enjoy.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS