Savannah Smiles (1982) Reviews

• An excellent movie

  HughJunit2005-10-22

  This is a movie that will definitely make you smile. All three of the main characters are terrific in this film. This is a movie you can definitely watch with the kids, which is a rare these days. The parents in the film are a little stereotyped in their coldness and their "seeing the error of their ways", but is intended to connect Savanah to Alphie, who wrote the film. The movie is very predictable, however like a Disney movie, although you aren't surprised by anything in it, it doesn't take away from the enjoyment. I don't think I have ever sat through it any of the 10-12 times I watched it and not shed a few happy tears.

• Superb!!

  leelee20012003-02-07

  I watched this little gem of a film on UK television last night and enjoyed it immensely.I can only agree with what everyone else said and thoroughly recommend seeing this if You get a chance,I know I'll have to buy the DVD or Video of this film if I can find it. What a tragedy that the girl who played Savannah died at such a young age.

• Similarities with "Monsters, Inc."

  JanieJane2003-04-01

  This was one of my favorite films as a kid, as I often had runaway fantasies of my own (who didn't want to get away from their parents at some point in their childhood?). This movie parallels a more recent, widely popular movie "Monsters, Inc." Think about it: both movies involve two male characters who are friends/co-workers/partners-in-crime. These characters are encountered by a small, cute, little girl from another world (in "Savannah Smiles", the girl is from a world of wealth while the guys are from "the wrong side of the tracks"; and in "Monsters, Inc.", a girl from the human world enters into the monster world). Also, Alvie and Boots are seen as "monsters" (since they are criminals) and are misjudged by others. (It can be argued that Alvie is like Sulley from "Monsters, Inc." since he's the leader and Boots is a lot like Sulley's sidekick Mike). As in both movies, the two main characters do not want the little girl at first and are desperate to get rid of her (for fear of the repercussions)--but they soon grow to love her, ending in a tearful goodbye when the girl is returned home. Try watching both movies back-to-back and see for yourself the similarities. I'm not implying that the writers of "Monsters, Inc." stole their ideas from "Savannah Smiles", I just thought it was a neat coincidence that they had such similar themes.

• Perfect family movie

  justwrite3192005-09-18

  I saw this when it first came out and enjoyed it. My oldest daughter , now 20 ,enjoyed it so much she named her favorite doll Savannah. Now my 3 yr old is in love with Savannah. Every morning she wants to watch Savannah as she eats breakfast, she has gotten to the point of reciting lines before they appear. It's a wonderful movie, fun, entertaining and you fall in love with Savannah and her 2 buddies; the gruff Alvie and clueless yet sweet Bootsie. As you watch this notice the changes that take place in the main characters, very heart warming. The music scores support the story. I find that I hum or sing them throughout the day. My 3 yr old asks me to sing the end song as I rock her to sleep each night. There are overtly funny scenes but you have to appreciate the clueless comment of Peter Graves' character.."I've heard that voice before."

• A wonderful film!

  magellan3332001-11-22

  I just bought Savannah Smiles on DVD and got to watch it again for the first time in years. It was still as wonderful as when I was six years old, if not better. This is one of those movies that was made in the 1980s, but doesn't fall in the "80s movies" genre. It seems that not a lot of people have heard of it or seen it. I can't help but wonder why because this is a great movie! Perhaps if it would have had a big name star, it would have fared better over the years. I actually thought it was Drew Barrymore who played Savannah until not too long ago. Despite few big name stars, everybody does an outstanding job in their roles. Like a previous reviewer, I too wonder why Mark Miller didn't make many more films, he is a terrific actor! Although none of the music made the top ten, the film has a great soundtrack. The film will make you laugh, get angry, and cry. I shed a tear at the end and I am usually not one to get emotional over movies. Look high and low to find it, because when you do, you will not regret seeing it. John 3:16 <><