Felicity: An American Girl Adventure is a 2005 television film, based on the children's books written by Valerie Tripp.
Plot
Ten-year-old Felicity Merriman is growing up in Williamsburg, Virginia, just before the American Revolution. Felicity longs to be free. High-spirited Felicity would rather rush into exciting adventures, like taming the wild horse owned by the cruel tamer, Jiggy Nye. Even with the warnings from her parents, she runs off in the morning to be with Jiggy Nye's horse.
Felicity isn’t the only one questioning what’s right and what’s wrong. Change is in the air as some colonists—like Felicity’s father and his apprentice, Ben—take steps toward independence from the king of England. Others—like Felicity’s dear grandfather and her best friend, Elizabeth—are shocked that anyone would question the rule of the king. How can Felicity choose a side when she knows it means being disloyal to someone she loves? As the Revolutionary War threatens to tear friends and neighbours apart, Felicity’s family faces a crisis of its own. Through and through Felicity discovers that even though things are different there is no crisis.
Cast
DVD Features
Felicity's tour of Williamsburg, Behind the Scenes of Felicity: an American girl with exclusive interviews with Shailene Woodley, Preview for Samantha: an American Girl holiday, and a preview of The American Girl Club What An American Girl is!!
Historical Accuracy
Women in Revolutionary America The movie accurately depicts the role of women in Colonial America. Felicity's mother is seen raising her children, providing meals for her family, and ensuring that her children are taught how to exercise gentility. Felicity takes over these duties when her mother becomes sick, and despite only being ten years old she is seen watching over her siblings and assisting in the kitchen. In order to learn proper manners and how to be the perfect gentlewoman, Felicity goes to an etiquette tutor. There, Felicity learns how to serve and receive tea, dance, and socialize. Drinking tea soon becomes an act of politics when hostilities rise between Britain and the colonies. Women helped the revolutionary cause by boycotting British goods, most importantly tea. Felicity's family showed their patriot loyalties when Mr. Merriman decides to no longer import British goods in his store. Felicity also demonstrates her feelings toward the revolution by refusing tea during one of her etiquette lessons.
Men in Revolutionary America In the movie, four different portrayals of revolutionary men are seen. Felicity's grandfather is a wealthy Virginian plantation owner, who stands firmly in his beliefs for remaining loyal to the crown. Elizabeth's father is a loyalist as well, and is seen dressed in the latest fashions, fresh from England. Mr. Merriman appears as an idealized patriot, who supports the revolution by refusing to import British goods into his store, and remains rational and level-headed. On the other hand, Benjamin, Mr. Merriman's apprentice, offers a realistic characterization of a spirited teenage apprentice, who is anxious to severe his ties with Mr. Merriman's store in order to fight in the war. This was common amongst apprentices who felt that they were being "enslaved" by their masters, and felt that their dependence on their masters was inappropriate during a time when democratic ideals were being preached. Overall, the movie was accurate in defining the different male personalities found in Colonial America.
Loyalists vs. Patriots Some of the movie's main flaws are seen in dealing with the relationships between loyalists (those who remain loyal to the British crown) and patriots (those who support a separation from Britain). Since the movie is targeted for children, it ignores the violence and hatred found between the two groups at the time. Instead, the movie shows Felicity and Elizabeth remaining best friends despite their families opposing beliefs. When Elizabeth's father is jailed for being a loyalist, Mr. Merriman comes to his rescue and bails him out. Mr. Merriman also maintains a somewhat friendly relationship with his father-in-law, despite stark differences in their political opinions. It is highly unlikely that these events would occur during a time when families and friends were turning their backs on each other if they had different views on independence.
Revolutionary War Despite taking place in 1775, a year before America's independence was declared, the movie ignores some of the political concerns of the time. The main focus of the movie is Felicity attempting to save Penny the horse from the cruel Jiggy Nye. The revolution serves only as a backdrop of the story, and the concerns of the colonists, like taxes without representation, are only mentioned a few times. When references to the war are mentioned, they are frequently incorrect. When the Williamsburg militia is shown, they are seen in uniforms and constantly drilling. As much as colonial generals would have loved to have seen this, the truth is that local militias were ill-prepared to fight, and lacked the discipline and skill that a successful regiment would have. Even though the movie is not a reliable source on the Revolutionary War itself, it does provide children with an introduction into the time period, and accurately shows them the roles of men, women, and children in Colonial America.
External links
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