Search - Harriet the Spy (Widescreen Collection) on DVD


Harriet the Spy (Widescreen Collection)
Harriet the Spy
Widescreen Collection
Actors: Michelle Trachtenberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Gregory Smith, Vanessa Lee Chester, J. Smith-Cameron
Director: Bronwen Hughes
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Kids & Family
PG     2003     1hr 40min

HARRIET M WELSCH IS PROBABLY THE WORLD'S MOST ACCOMPLISHED 11 YEAR OLD SPY. HARRIET DREAMS OF BEING A WRITER, & HER NANNY & BEST FRIEND GOLLY TOLD HER TO START BY WRITING DOWN EVERYTHINGSHE SEES. IT'S ALL IN GOOD FUN UNTIL...  more »

     

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Movie Details

Actors: Michelle Trachtenberg, Rosie O'Donnell, Gregory Smith, Vanessa Lee Chester, J. Smith-Cameron
Director: Bronwen Hughes
Creators: Debby Beece, Julia Pistor, Douglas Petrie, Greg Taylor, Julie Talen, Louise Fitzhugh, Theresa Rebeck
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Kids & Family
Sub-Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family Films
Studio: Paramount
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen - Closed-captioned
DVD Release Date: 05/27/2003
Original Release Date: 07/10/1996
Theatrical Release Date: 07/10/1996
Release Year: 2003
Run Time: 1hr 40min
Screens: Color,Widescreen
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 0
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Languages: English
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Member Movie Reviews

Schuylar L. (schuym1) from SERGEANT BLF, IA
Reviewed on 11/6/2016...
A pretty good movie with good performances. I haven't read the book though.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Gretchen K. from INDEPENDENCE, OR
Reviewed on 2/27/2011...
This is not what I remember the books to be like. Boring, psychology-laden... My great niece and nephew didn't get to watch this because I did first.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Movie Reviews

Outside in the Cold...
Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 12/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Harriet M. Welsch (Michelle Trachtenberg) is an 11-year-old-spy who dreams of being a writer. She explains her obsession with writing by saying: "I want to remember everything, I want to know everything."

In her PRIVATE notebook, she writes down her secret thoughts. Sometimes her comments are all too honest and not that nice. Harriet doesn't yet understand the power of words, but soon she learns, when all her friends become her worst enemies.

Rosie O'Donnell plays the perfect nanny. Her advice to Harriet is that while she might want to know everything, it won't do her a bit of good unless she uses her knowledge to put beauty into the world.

Harriet goes through a great learning experience where she finally realizes she should participate more in life and learns to let go of her writing obsession in order to embrace life. After all, true friends are what makes life wonderful and worth living.

This is a funky, modern story that teaches a wonderful lesson. It is about learning to forgive and being vulnerable enough to be able to say you are sorry.

A great lesson for all ages!

~The Rebecca Review"
A Thoughtful and Evocative Children's Film...
Susan Edgington | 01/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Harriet the Spy is a wonderfully textured little movie, displaying a welcome amount of emotional depth. Though made for children, its virtues transcend age groups - it deftly touches on some very relatable and universal themes. And unlike other children's fare, it dares to venture into some rather somber and affecting territory.In the title role of Harriet, Michelle Trachtenberg is a delight. She infuses the role with a wide and impressive range of emotion and displays remarkable talent for her age. The character of Harriet is realistically and refreshingly portrayed - like any 11 year-old she has a wealth of charms as well as her share of foibles. Somewhat of an outsider, Harriet turns inward when trouble ensues - due to her self-imposed isolationism, Harriet has a hard time when she falls out of favor with her friends. She makes mistakes along the way - but ultimately, she overcomes her flaws, reaches out to her friends, and takes a more active role in the world. Seeing this honest portrayal of an 11 year-old makes for a rather satisfying journey.Young Michelle Trachtenberg deftly captures a sense of innocence, curiosity, and angst. Her performance often tugs at the heartstrings due to its subtle delivery. She very much captures a sense of wide-eyed adorability - yet she's often quite haunting when serving as the film's narrator. In the role of Ole Golly, Rosie O'Donnell puts in a decent, if understated performance. And the actors playing Harriet's friends do a nice job of portraying the camaraderie between the three.Visually, the film is shot in bright colors and an eclectic style. Yet for all the cheery stylistic content, the film touches on some fairly serious emotional territory. True to real life, when the children turn on Harriet they become quite cruel and antagonistic. Through Harriet's alienation, the mood is quite morose and affecting - once again, Trachtenberg shines in her portrayal of a hurt, confused, and isolated young girl.The director nicely contrasts innocent childlike elements with a darker undercurrent... like a scene of a child's flipbook that spells out the words `Everybody hates me'. Or a shot of lonely friendless Harriet washing up in the bathroom, while a sing-song chant of friendship ironically echoes in the background. There's a nice juxtaposition between the dearly childish and the darkly mature.Yet the darkness serves a purpose - for when the positive themes arise, they shine all the more authentically. After all, the value of friendship seems much more potent after viewing the angst and pain of Harriet's friendless life. Ultimately, the movie ends on a rather charming and positive note - Harriet learns, and grows, and finds her happiness.Ultimately, Harriet the Spy is a worthwhile little movie. The performances are solid, and there's a strong emotional core. Unlike other children's movies, Harriet the Spy doesn't beat you over the head with its messages. Instead, it subtly touches upon the importance of tolerance, friendship, honesty, and balance. It's a thoughtful and charming look into the world of a child."
I love, I love, I love.
Claire Hennessy | Dublin, Ireland | 10/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really loved this movie. Michelle Trachtenberg is absolutely brilliant. I saw her in this and thought, wow, she's going to be huge. What do you know, now she's in Buffy. Michelle's wonderful as Harriet, the girl who wants to be a writer and writes down things about the others in her class in her journal. Then the journal is found, and she has to deal with the rest of her class not being too happy at the uncomplimentary things she's jotted down about them. Rosie O'Donnell is also excellent as the nanny. (Don't ask me who else starred in this, I can't remember!) :)"