By now everybody knows the script in this movie is nothing like the kinds of stories found in the immensely popular and ubiquitous (and over 70-year-old) girl detective book series. Nancy is transplanted to Los Angeles for a taste of the fast lane. And in a funny, surrealistic kind of way it works.
In one sense, this is the practically perfect Nancy Drew we have always known. She is sharp, intelligent, well-mannered and well-dressed. But in another, she is quite different. For example, this Nancy ignores her father's explicit instructions, "No sleuthing," and provides a misleading response when later he asks her directly if she has obeyed his instructions. She places herself in socially compromising situations without a thought to the impression she might present if her father were to walk in.
This movie gets its surreal feeling from the juxtaposition of small-town customs against big city excesses. There is, in fact, very little that is realistic about this movie. No teen-aged girl that I know has the poise, resilience and invulnerability that this Nancy has. Even after the narrowest of escapes from danger, every hair on Nancy's head is perfectly in place. All the bullets go astray or wind up in a conveniently placed prop. Thusly cast, Nancy finds herself within the seamier side of humanity (well, as seamy as a PG rating might allow), and never skips a beat.
Of course, in true fairy tale fashion, it all comes out well in the end. Nancy solves the mystery, and in the process gains the friendship of high school rivals and the respect of her elders. It is a light, fun movie to watch with your children.
In one sense, this is the practically perfect Nancy Drew we have always known. She is sharp, intelligent, well-mannered and well-dressed. But in another, she is quite different. For example, this Nancy ignores her father's explicit instructions, "No sleuthing," and provides a misleading response when later he asks her directly if she has obeyed his instructions. She places herself in socially compromising situations without a thought to the impression she might present if her father were to walk in.
This movie gets its surreal feeling from the juxtaposition of small-town customs against big city excesses. There is, in fact, very little that is realistic about this movie. No teen-aged girl that I know has the poise, resilience and invulnerability that this Nancy has. Even after the narrowest of escapes from danger, every hair on Nancy's head is perfectly in place. All the bullets go astray or wind up in a conveniently placed prop. Thusly cast, Nancy finds herself within the seamier side of humanity (well, as seamy as a PG rating might allow), and never skips a beat.
Of course, in true fairy tale fashion, it all comes out well in the end. Nancy solves the mystery, and in the process gains the friendship of high school rivals and the respect of her elders. It is a light, fun movie to watch with your children.