An American Girl Story: Melody 1963 - Love Has to Win (2016 TV Movie) User Reviews

Excellent Message Movie

[ellisontxn · 9/10 · 27 December 2021]

Spiritually moving and inspires critical thinking. Well acted by a quality lead cast. Tough to watch because it speaks to critical matters of race relations, yet, well worth seeing.

This was my life

[broadwayjanet · 10/10 · 28 December 2019]

I grew up in the 60's, although younger than the age of Melody. I dressed like her even down to the eyeglasses. I grew up in Indianapolis. This was very realistic! The majority of my white teachers cared. I'm from a two parent home and had a mother who was so loving but she also stood up for us and taught me to stand up for myself. I never saw this or even knew about this show. I'm so pleased and impressed by this excellent production! I have spent much of my creative life telling people in community theater and the musical productions I've been involved in, the real black experience. Thank you for the excellent job done here!!!

Child Appropriate Social Awareness

[Thenewt45 · 10/10 · 11 July 2020]

American Girl has a great way of tackling sensitive historical issues in a way that appropriately educates & entertains. Similar to the American Girls Addy, Josefina & Kaya in their depictions of young girls who lived through tumultuous cultural periods of American history, Melody is no exception & true to form. We see her innocent view of the world challenged as she increasingly becomes aware of the social injustices that surrounds her. But in true American Girl spirit, that innocence merges with an irrepressible spirit of determination, strength and the faith that good & love will always triumph in the end.

Unfaithful to book

[macyag9 · 3/10 · 19 January 2019]

I was very disappointed by this movie. I've seen the other American Girl movies so I wasn't expecting it to completely faithful to the book. However, this film barely resembles the books besides having a main named Melody.

First, the movie eliminates her siblings, father, friends, and grandmother, all important characters. Second, Melody's family is poor instead of lower middle class. Third, her personality is completely changed. Melody wants to be a astronaut and enjoys drawing in the film, while she is a singer and loves to garden in the books. Third, Melody goes to an all-white school. Why? Just to inject a litttle more racism, I guess.

This film really missed the mark in its attempt to be a social justice warrior. It could've been so much more if it told Melody's story.