Brave New Girl

Dreams can come true with faith, hard work and perseverance

A single mother (Virginia Madsen) and her talented daughter (Lindsey Haun) are poor, good-hearted Texans. The daughter's dream is to go to a prestigious music school in Philadelphia, so the mother sacrifices everything to make it happen. There are humiliating obstacles and intense pressures. Can the daughter persevere and succeed. What about her mother?

This 2004 TV film is based on the book "A Mother's Gift" written by Britney Spears and her mother, not to mention produced by then. Some people, unsurprisingly, wrote negative reviews for this reason. These people obviously hate Britney. Regardless, the truth is she's a talented, likable pop musician/entertainer, as well as incredibly famous. I don't listen to her style of music and would never buy one of her cds or see her in concert, but who can deny this?

What matters is: Is the movie any good? Yes it is. Both my wife and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. No, it may not blow you away or anything -- it is, after all, a TV movie -- but it holds your attention all the way through and it is moving; plus it throws in a couple of surprises. Even more, it has a good heart.

Lindsey Haun is reminiscent of Melissa Joan Hart of of the TV show Sabrina -- both winsome and cute. There are quite a few other likable cast members, including Madsen. The story also features a couple of people you'll love-to-hate. And be on the lookout for the redheaded dancer played by Jessica Dawson, who's stunning, to say the least.

Other than the obvious motif of fulfilling your dreams through belief and perseverance despite the obstacles, the story addresses some important sub-themes:

• You'll always have an enemy who wants you to fail.

• There will always be people who are willing to give you a helping hand or guidance; take advantage of these precious souls.

• It's easy to take for granted the good things in your life until you meet someone who doesn't have them.

• As two of Solomon's proverbs state: "Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred" and "Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting with strife."

• The best way to beat an enemy is to not give up and succeed.

It runs runs 90 minutes and was shot in Toronto.

GRADE: A-