Brave New Girl is a TV Movie released in 2004 by ABC Family. It’s based on the novel “A Mothers Gift” which was written by Britney and Lynne Spears which was loosely based on Britney’s life. Although it was based on the book, the plot has been changed significantly, Britney still takes a credit as Executive Producer on the film though.

Brave New Girl tells the tale of schoolgirl Holly Lovell (Lindsey Haun) and her dreams of making it big as a Singer. Holly lives with her Mother, Wanda (Virginia Madsen) in a small Texan town without much a future in front of her, she sees music as her only chance.
So set on this future is Holly that Wanda gives up everything for her daughter to have the chance she wants.

Yes, it’s that kind of movie.

We see Wanda literally give everything for Holly to attend the prestigious Haverty School of Performing Arts, but once she’s there it isn’t the smooth ride Holly thinks it’s going to be. Being from a small Texan town she’s given the cold shoulder somewhat by the other more popular girls in the school which obviously causes some drama.

One teacher takes her under their wing though and helps Holly realise her potential.

Told you it was that kind of movie.

Wanda ends up hanging around the school as she has nothing to go home for. She meets a man in a local bar she’s frequenting wondering what to do with her life now she has no home and no job to go back to. One thing leads to another and she ends up working as Waitress in a nearby Cafe (It’s OK – I know you didn’t expect me to say that).

She still needs a place to stay though, and that’s when she ends up staying with Holly in her room at the school. (I know, I know).

Small town bigotry overcome and Holly goes on to do well at the school. Etc.
I bought this years ago and filed it away thinking I’d probably never watch it. It was only when it came to this project I even considered it. I put it in the DVD player with a loud sigh and fully thought I’d be switching it off after 30 minutes or so. But, that never happened. It wasn’t necessarily because it’s a good film, and it’s wholly predictable, but… I don’t know. I ended up being sucked in for some reason. Maybe it was the sheer implausibility of it all, maybe it was the message of hope reaching into my dark cold soul. Who knows?

Virginia Madsen does her doting Mother thing in this one. And, to be fair she does it well. But we wouldn’t expect anything less. And to be fair she does get a fair bit to do on her own while she’s hanging around making sure Wanda gets a fair go. It’s a fun role for her and you can kind of tell she enjoyed doing it.

Don’t think I’ll be watching it again anytime soon though.

Availability:

Good, easily found on Region 1 DVD.

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