The Journey of Natty Gann (1985) User Reviews

NATTY GANN : Solid Family-Film That Embraces It's Dark Qualities...

[cwrdlylyn · 7/10 · 10 March 2006]

THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN

This was in the back of my video cabinet and I haven't watched it since I was a child. NATTY GANN is a rather unknown Disney release from 1985 that takes places in the '30's. Natty Gann is a young girl living with just her father in a bleak time. She is rough around the edges and has clearly built up a crocodile skin due to the life she has led. However, at her core, she truly loves her father.

So when he is forced to leave her at a moment's notice to travel to Washington (the only place he can find work) Natty is left in the care of a bitter Landlord. It doesn't take long for Natty, played by Meredith Salenger, to runaway in an attempt to travel the 2,000 miles to be with her father again.

On her journey, Natty meets all kinds of people who are suffering due to the nation's economic situation. One thing she witnesses is a dogfight where one of the dog's is a rather wild wolf. Natty reaches out for the wolf though and eventually manages to establish a bond with the wild animal. Together, they continue to travel towards her Washington State in pursuit of Natty's father.

As the plot description above makes clear, the framework of this film is not horribly unique or important. However, what does give the film some extra quality is the approach in which the material is taken on.

This film is very much in the same vein as another under-appreciatted Disney classic, RETURN TO OZ. This is a very dark family film that lacks all of the standard, corny Disney clichés (aside from the animal friend, but here he doesn't talk... and he isn't particularly nice at first).

THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN portrays the depression-era and it's effects on the poor very honestly. We see Natty eating out of garbage pales and sleeping in filth. We see the type of work her father is forced to take on. And we see the bitterness and resentment Natty feels towards her situation.

She is not your typical "hopelessly-optimistic" Disney heroine. She gets angry, she defends herself, and she doesn't make excuses. She starts fight, even smokes what appears to be weed in the opening scene (this was something I certainly didn't notice as a child). However, the role of Natty is always grounded by an appealing and fully realized performance from the young Meredith Salenger. She hasn't found much success in film following this movie, but it is definitely one of the best child performances of the 80's.

Now aside from the good qualities of the film, THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN moves a little too slow for me to really love it. Despite the many Disney clichés it avoids, it's still always obvious Natty will find her father and all will be happy. So the fact that it takes 105 minutes to do so is a bit much. And there is a supporting role / love interest played by John Cusack who is essentially useless to the plot.

But Disney deserves some credit for boldly taking family films to a darker, more artistically developed place in 1985 (both RETURN TO OZ and NATTY GANN were released in that year). There haven't been children's films that really embrace the darker side of things like these 2 films do since '85... and these under-viewed films deserve a little more credit and public acknowledgment for looking outside of the lines in a genre that is too often trapped within the lines.

... B- ...

A nice and moving family fare about a girl who escapes from "Chicago, 1935" to Washington State .

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 7 March 2018]

Unforgettably undeniably Disney movie set in the 1930s, in which a 14-year-old girl (first lead major starring role of actress Meredith Salenger) travels across the country in search for her father (Ray Wise) who is 2,000 miles away, because there was work there . With the help of a wolf (stunningly portrayed by a dog called Jed) and a drifter (John Cusack) she goes out to the dangerous adventure . Gripped Chicago and along the way she is befriended by a half-breed dog she calls Wolf and other sympathetic characters . As she joins a roguish gang of young people (Grant Heslov , Barry Miller , among others) until she is detained at a reform school . Meantime , Natty gann has a series of misfortunes and mis- adventures in several farmhouses, orphanage , dog-fighting cages , police stations, and hobo camps . With innocence behind her and danger ahead, only courage and love were on her side . This is a journey that made the impossible come true .

A touching and warming film about a tomboyish girl who runs away from her guardian to join her daddy who has gone to Washington state and only love, hope and courage can help her find him. A top-notch Disney-Silver Screen Partners representation of life during the Great Depression in which a girl runs thousand miles of danger separate her from her father. There's a return of the old values of Disney studio with this stirring tale of a brave teen who tough as any boy runs away from Depression until Washington state . Remaing cast is excellent as John Cusack as a young drifter for whom she feels the first moving of love . Support cast is pretty good such as Ray Wise , Scatman Crothers , Lainie Kazan , Verna Bloom , Barry Miller , Bruce Fisher , Ian Tracey and Grant Heslov . It packs a colorful and evocative cinematography by Dick Bush . The film got Oscar nominated in the Best Costume Design category for costume designer Albert Wolsky but lost out to Emi Wada for Akira Kurosawa's Ran . Special mention for the marvelous musical score by the great James Horner , he composes a a sentitive and emotive soundtrack . Although he replaced Elmer Bernstein as the film's music composer .

Director Jeremy Paul Kagan conjures up an attractive , unfailing sense of period in creating one of the best family films the Disney company had resulted out in decades . Kagan is a fine craftsmas who has directed various films of all kinds of genres as ¨Color of Justice¨, ¨Conspiracy : the trial of the Chicago 8¨ , ¨ Descending Angel¨, ¨Courage¨ , ¨The sting 2¨, ¨Bobbie's girl¨, ¨Roswell Ufo Cover-up¨, being his greatest hits the followings : ¨The big Fix¨, ¨Heroes¨ and ¨The chosen¨.

Great Depression-era adventure with female lead star

[rebeljenn · 7/10 · 31 December 2005]

'The Journey of Natty Gann' was a film that I watched several times when I was a child. I enjoyed it because there are few movies in which there is a female lead character who is a tomboy, and I could easily relate to this character, being a tomboy and seeking adventure myself.

This film is about Natty, a girl during the Great Depression, who is separated from her father. She runs away from her guardian to try to find her father and finds compassion in an captive wolf in a similar situation. During her travels, she meets many new people, including a love interest, and puts herself into danger. She's always on the run in her attempt to get to her father.

This film is a good family historical film, and it is packed full of adventure and danger. It has some good messages behind it, and it is easy to see the similarities in the two lead outcasts: wolf and girl. It's a great film because it has a female lead character who is a tomboy.

Meredith Salenger will break your heart

[ian j bell · 8 February 2003]

This haunting and delightful film - intended for children but equally compelling for adults - tells the story of Natty Gann, a brave and resourceful young girl who traipses across Depression-era America to find her only relative, her long-lost dad. If that sounds depressing then think again. This is a gem of a film. It has Meredith Salenger in the lead role displaying a warmth and maturity to carry a role that may easily have overwhelmed a less gifted actress. How on earth she hasn't become a big star is completely beyond me. Offering commendable support is John Cusack as the older boy and drifter she befriends on her journey. Children's films so often tend to lean towards sentiment or easy endings but this uncompromising film, and yes, the language gets a little colourful at times but so what, has a depth to it that makes you root for the heroine to the very end. Natty Gann is simply a wonderful film for young and old alike.

Company of a Wolf

[sol- · 6/10 · 9 July 2016]

Set during the Great Depression, this live action Disney film involves a girl left in the care of her selfish landlady after her widowed father finds work miles away, and the journey she makes to find him upon overhearing the landlady's plans to throw her out. Meredith Salenger is well cast as the resourceful title character, striking a perfect balance between vulnerability and resilience, and the film is darker and more graphic than your average Disney fare. A vicious dogfight is particularly memorable and there are some striking images of Natty's friends being evicted from their homes. Much of the plot revolves around Natty bonding with a wild wolf in an angle that only ever half-works. The wolf not only acts as guide and compass, but is happy to play guard dog and even protect her from child molesters who are overly anxious to give her rides (!). It is never really explained why the wolf is so tame around her, but as far as animal performances go, it is a remarkable turn. Not all of the human performances are as good. Ray Wise is fine as Sol, Natty's loving father, but all the actresses who play matrons are very flat while Lainie Kazan goes way over-the-top as the evil landlady. James Horner's music score also often intrudes on the action. The film is generally well made though with atmospheric cinematography, excellent location scouting and delightfully detailed period costumes that justly earned Albert Wolsky an Oscar nomination. The father/daughter stuff works very well too especially with Sol's internal conflicts over what is in his daughter's best interests.

A Strong Storyline About A Girl's Journey By Rail to Find Her Father

[tabuno · 7/10 · 17 January 2019]

10 March 2013. It's not often one gets to see as the primary star of a movie, a strong young female character in a full feature film. The Journey of Natty Gann is a relatively straight forward movie with a young daughter (Meredith Salenger in her first major role) who braves a cross country trip by rail to go after her father (played by Ray Wise, who became a household face in television's Twin Peaks, 1990-1) who has left to take a job in Washington State cutting down trees. During her journey she has an extended encounter with a wolf and several scenes with John Cusack in one of first acting gigs in film. Natty Gann takes elements from Never Cry Wolf (1983) a drama focused on a scientist studying wolves in their natural environment, The Incredible Journey that focused on the long trek of three animals trying to find their where back home, and the strength of female character found in the likes of Where the Lilies Bloom (1974). Similar movies were later made using similar themes such as the journey of an animated cartoon superdog in Bolt (2008), a girl's belief in caring for some baby geese in Fly Away Home (1996), an orphan girl in The Secret Garden (1993), a girl's search for a mysterious animal in The Secret of Roan Inish (1995), a girl attempts to ride a whale, something only boys in her culture are allowed to do Whale Rider (2002), a girl who goes looking for her lost father in Winter's Bone (2010) Perhaps the strongest girl movies have been The Lovely Bones (2009) of a deceased girl searching to mystery surrounding her own murder, the animation feature film Spirited Away (2001) of a Japanese girl who enters a fantasy world in a long epic adventure, and in this case "a boy" who goes on a journey surrounding a mysterious key in the aftermath of 9/11 in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011). However Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) in which an adolescent girl along with a few of her friends go on a haunting adventure on a rock formation in the Australian outback is the best. Natty Gann is significant is powerful in its respect of wildlife and the straight forward never over the top nature of this journey, not quite of the same captivating intensity as Stand By Me (1986) about three boys who go looking for a dead body release a year after Natty Gann.

It was nice to take this journey again

[cricketbat · 7/10 · 14 February 2023]

It's been a very long time since I've seen The Journey of Natty Gann. I remember watching it multiple times as a kid and I remember seeing the preview on almost every Disney VHS tape we owned. I'm happy to say that it still holds up watching it as an adult. The story is simple: a girl is trying to find her father. However, Meredith Salenger gives a strong performance as the titular character, and she and Ray Wise seem to have a real bond with each other. It is slow going, though. They could have easily trimmed off ten minutes or so. Nevertheless, I'm glad I was able to take this journey again.

The Forgotten Disney Film

[clydestuff · 10/10 · 6 February 2004]

In what may be the most remarkable live action film to come out of the Disney studios during the 80's or even the 70's for that matter, I find the treatment it has received from it's own studio appalling. The best thing I can compare it to is having a ruby but discarding it because you only prefer diamonds. Considering all the costume jewelry Disney released in the aforementioned decades, you would think they would have more respect for this gem.

I'm sure parents who took their children to see Natty Gann when it was released were surprised and shocked to discover that it was not a film for younger children. It is a very dark realistic film which takes place during the Great Depression. This is not only the story of a young girl traveling across country to find her father, it is the story of people searching for hope and trying to survive in an age when just having food on the table was a constant struggle.

When Natty's father Sol(Ray Wise) is offered a job in a logging camp in Washington, he is only given a few hours to come to a decision, either take the job and leave Natty behind, or stay in Chicago with Natty and hopefully find work elsewhere. At first, rejecting the job offer, he steps out into the Chicago streets. In a truly remarkable scene, we see as Sol does, the faces of all those who have lost hope and been beaten down in despair. It is after this brief but telling moment that he realizes, as we do, there is no decision to be made and Sol accepts the work in Seattle. Sol is forced to leave Natty in the care of a boarding house owner Connie(Lainie Kazan). After Natty overhears Connie reporting her as an abandoned child, she decides not to wait for her father to send for her, and begins an arduous journey across country to find him.

If ever there was a film that is a picture of contrasts it's this one. Early in the film we are given the harsh reality of depression era Chicago. Director Jeremy Kagan does not spare us from the details. We watch as men stand hopelessly and helplessly praying and hoping for work. There is a scene where a destitute family are evicted from their home. Later, as Sol is heading to Washington in the bus, we see another family on the road with their meager belongings strapped to their car as they head west, their car no longer operable. As Natty walks through the market place vendors sell what meager belongings they have just to get buy. When Natty runs away we see her fishing for food out of a trash can for a morsel to consume. Later, as Natty travels westward, there is beautifully photographed scenery of forests and mountains, but Director Kagan astutely reminds us of the bleakness of the depression with many scenes of the struggle in rural America, ranging from a scene of a farmer and his much pregnant wife plowing a field, to scenes of orphaned and abandoned children left to be wards of the state. This is not your Daddy's Disney, kids. Dick Bush's cinematography of the wilderness is breathtaking, yet in the scenes set in Chicago and in the farm towns of America, he mutes his colors to enhance the contrast between beauty and desperation.

When Natty jumps her first train, she is help and befriended by Harry(John Cusack), who is also riding the rails. Cusack in his first major dramatic role after being extremely good in The Sure Thing, shows for the first time that he is not just a comedic actor, but has dramatic prowess as well. Harry may be young, but Cusack gives him the edge of a man aged beyond his years. It is an uncanny performance.

Salenger, as Natty, is more than just a teenage actress. Her characterization draws us into the story from the first moments of this film to the last. It is the key that holds this film together and if it had been put into less capable hands the film would surely not have succeeded as well. Although her film career since Natty Gann has not been noteworthy, you will always remember her for her unflinching portrayal of Natty Gann. This is a journey for the ages, and one you will not soon forget. Unfortunately.......

I don't make it a habit to comment on the DVD release of films, but in this case I'll make an exception. The transfer of this wonderful film is appalling. It's bad enough when a film that shouts "wide screen" is only released in a very horrid poorly done pan and scan, but the full screen transfer is one of the worst if not the worst I have ever seen. It gives new meaning to the word grainy. At times the picture jitters so that you may begin reaching for your VCR remote to adjust the tracking until you remember this is a DVD. There are signs of the film's age running rampant throughout and no visible effort to clean it up digitally or otherwise. I'm not one to believe every film should come with a boatload of extras, and have no problem if a studio wants to give us just the film, but there is absolutely no excuse for the poor picture quality of this DVD. This movie is a gem, and for the Disney studios to tarnish it and treat it in this unconscionable manner, saddens me terribly. What is more frustrating is the fact that Disney can do quality video releases, so just a decent film to DVD wide screen transfer would not have been a lot to ask for. They should be ashamed of what they have done to this fine fine film.

My Grade: Journey of Natty Gann-A

DVD transfer - F

nice light sentimental movie with a doggy

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 16 January 2015]

It's 1935 Chicago. Sol Gann (Ray Wise) is struggling to find work. There's a job in Washington state but he has to leave behind his daughter Natty (Meredith Salenger). He leaves her in the care of the bossy Connie who runs the hotel they're living in. The plan is for him to send her money to take a later train. When Natty gets into trouble with the police, Connie tries to leave her to the authorities and she runs away. She rides the rails and rescued by Harry (John Cusack). While at a dog fight, she helps release a wolf. She survives a train wreck and is stranded in the wilderness. She befriends the wolf as the two journey across the land. Sol loses hope when he's told that they found her wallet in the train wreck. On the journey, she joins up with a gang of youth and reconnects with Harry.

The only minor complaint is that the girl is suppose to be 12 and Salenger was probably 14 at the time. It's a close call but they may as well make the character 14 anyways. She looks older than 12 and it would also allow for her to be safely in puppy love with Harry. She's too nicely kept for somebody always on the road. It's a nice traditional light sentimental story. Salenger is compelling as the lead and it's a fine doggy movie.

A heartwarming classic

[Brandon Chance · 9/10 · 9 April 2002]

If you haven't seen this yet, go rent it. A heartwarming account of a young girl making her way across the country to get back to her father during the depression. One of the earlier reviews was talking about how all of the bad things that happen to Natty are inappropriate for a disney movie, but I think that those are the things that make this film so great. It is a gritty, realistic, non sugar coated story. The things that are shown to happen to Natty happen every day and have been for many many years. They bring drama and "heart" to the film, and make it what it is. Combine the latter with unbelievable cinematography of America, very good performances, and you are left with a very memorable, timeless film. I only wish that Disney would release it on DVD in widescreen. With such great widescreen nature cinematography, having to repeatedly watch the "chopped up" pan and scan version on vhs is killing me!! If you release it we will buy it!!!

Don't Remember Very Well, But Remember Liking It

[evanston_dad · 7/10 · 8 April 2008]

I barely feel qualified to write a comment on this forgotten Disney live-action film from the mid-1980s, since I've only seen it once, and that was back when it first came out. But I do remember liking it, and it's probably worth a re-watch for those who saw it back in the day, and a first watch for those who've never seen it.

It's notable for featuring a very young John Cusack, before anyone knew who he was. It seems to me that Disney had a pretty good track record of live action films during that decade ("Never Cry Wolf" is another forgotten one) but that few of them have had any staying power.

Grade: B+

Criminally underrated Disney film

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 30 January 2010]

A truly wonderful, moving film... The Journey of Natty Gunn fits that description like a glove. Set during the depression, this is like Homeward Bound but with people. The result is a beautiful, harrowing, poignant and lovely film that is criminally underrated, for it is by far one of the better Disney live action films. The attention to detail is staggering, I mean the sets were superb and the costumes were lovely. The music is haunting and pleasant and the script is well above average. There is also enough action to satisfy kids and adults, and the film is effective especially in conveying the harsh realities of children living in the depression. The performances were also astounding. Meredith Salenger was absolutely fantastic in the title role, completely believable and even heart-rending, I am lost for words at how she hasn't gone on to be a major star, for her performance showed that she really could act, which could more than be said for some of the actresses working today. John Cusack is also impressive as the drifter who tries to convince Natty that the open road is no place for a young girl. The wolf featured here is very cute too, and Ray Wise is great. In conclusion, this is a pretty darn good film. 10/10 Bethany Cox

PG movies got away with more back then.

[rphanley · 7/10 · 25 September 2020]

Good movie but there is definitely some elements of this that wouldn't be ok with parents today. The attempted molestation of the main character, some animal cruelty and subtle violence. Not complaining but more of just a warning. Don't see Disney releasing something like this today.

Very few movies have made me as angry as this one; and not in a good way

[PedanticEditor · 1/10 · 8 July 2014]

There is nothing remotely uplifting, redeeming, or inspiring about this film - although that was supposedly the intention.

Nevermind the bad acting, poor editing, and abysmal directing. It's the writing that kills it dead. Firstly, the method they use to show the daughter as being independent-minded is her smoking with two boys in a bathroom stall. This really only shows her to be self-destructive, and actually kind of dependent on peer pressure. Also. . . kids smoking in a Disney movie? The man with the mouse would not approve.

Secondly, both the father and daughter in the movie are a pair of bona fide s@#$s. The father decides it's perfectly alright to leave his brainless, self-destructive daughter with a self-obsessed landlady who (no surprise here) kicks her out as he skips merrily off to the other side of the country. Oh, and this is after he spends the day looking for her because apparently he in no way keeps tabs on his pre-teen daughter in downtown Depression Era Chicago. This is someone for whom we're supposed to feel empathy and/or admiration?

When the daughter, Natty, sets out on her own, she abandons a dog she adopted a couple scenes before. Like careless father like careless daughter? Then she lets a large, snarling, blood-soaked dog escape loose into a town after it wins a dog fight. I was actually almost glad when a random guy slapped her for doing it. I wanted to slap her myself at that point. The dog predictably shows up snarling and barking at her in the next scene, but sadly it doesn't end the film then and there by mauling her to death as a lesson to viewers not to release trained weapon-dogs into the world. Eventually, Natty avoids starving by the sheer luck that the dog brings her food and basically decides to adopt her.

After the next part, wherein the dog guides her to an a-hole farmer and his pregnant wife - followed by the obvious upcoming implication that the dog would get blamed for an attack on the farmer's chickens - I just couldn't stand to watch anymore. The stupidity and endless pettiness of the writing became overwhelming.

Oh and, by the way, girls from that era (even inner city girls) didn't swear that freely.

All this said, the art direction and costuming is excellent. The cinematography is good, too. What a waste.

Great movie. *CRUMMY* DVD.

[Guerauxguex · 24 February 2003]

I saw it in theatres when I was a kid, I bought the VHS when 1st available; I was overjoyed to the point of near misty-eyed-ness when I recieved the DVD from my wife. TjoNG is one of the reasons I fell in love with wolves & learned to overcome my American cultural ignorance of them. The movie is the reason I listened more closely to my grandparents tales of the depression; why I stopped thinking depression meant an emotional state & recognized it as an economic problem. You & your kids can *LEARN* something from this movie, you can enjoy watching it, again & again; there's a marvelous emotional hurrah! throughout the entire story, Disney at it's finest without the clubbed-over-the-head forced-spoon-fed social & morality message & commentary. The scenery is breathtaking, you kinda think I wish I could go back to then & live in that incredible world. The music is perfect, nudging & reinforcing without interrupting or annoying. This is also one of Scatman Caruthers' last roles, doing what he does best; adding a touch of autheniticty that makes our suspension of disbelief effortless. The DVD is a horiffic slap in the face to the theatrical release, the cast, crew & it's *SO* bad it makes the movie look shoddy. I won't reiterate what the other people so ably & eloquently illustrated of the flaws, I'll just say BUY THE VHS! if you can't, well, this DVD is better than nothing. Barely. The only reason there're 3 stars is because I was in the theatre on a magical night near to 2 decades ago & I *KNOW* what should have been on this disc. Let's not even mention the despair of finding no extra features.

It Works Better as an Adult Movie

[rgcart · 6/10 · 10 July 2023]

This film used to be shown alot, but I hardley ever hear about this one. I remember thinking that it was alittle bit too depressing as a young kid while watching this. I remember thinking that it was also extremely. Fast foward-twenty plus years-this is a good film! I definately think that it was misdirected at a younger audience, but the seriouness of the subject makes it more appealing to an older person. I think if they would have upped the rating and released it on a different studio-it would have been a much bigger hit. The way the movie was shot was alittle bit too dark as well for me. I would suggest Legends of The Fall as better or similiar type of film!

James Horner, the Wolf, and the Father

[EdgarST · 6/10 · 23 April 2024]

An enjoyable story almost ruined by James Horner's syrupy score, and by the bland Disney touch, that still identifies the productions made under this banner. The film was filmed in the days when the company made "Splash", started to do less sanitized comedies, moved into a more dramatic territory, and into more realistic approach to the stories being produced, meaning a more "all-audience-approach" , and treating everyone as intelligent human beings who could enjoy a film together as family. Almost everybody did a fine job, away from saccarine land, in this story set during the economic Depression of the early 20th century, in which a girl goes in search of her father. Meredith Salinger, John Cusack and especially Ray Wise contribute to the film's achievement.

Be Kind, Please Rewind

[capone666 · 7/10 · 14 November 2018]

The Journey of Natty Gann

The bond between dogs and women took longer because wolves wouldn't get into designer purses.

Mind you, the tomboy in this adventure is more likely to be carrying around a bindle.

When Sol (Ray Wise) finds work in the forests of Washington State during the Great Depression, he leaves his 15-year-old daughter Natty (Meredith Salenger) behind in Chicago until he can send for her. But when her guardian sells her out to family services, Natty must ride the rails to find her father. Along the way she befriends a wolf and fellow hobo (John Cusack), who teaches her how to survive life on the road.

Besides an authentic depiction of life during the depression, this live-action Disney movie from 1985 also has a touching story about a girl and her wolf that will resonate with animal lovers.

In fact, wolves still make excellent travel companions for women of any age. Green Light

vidiotreviews.blogspot.ca

One of Disney's Best!!!

[MihoKiyo7 · 10/10 · 19 May 2005]

I was waiting a long time to see this movie. Part of the reason why was that Disney made a poor decision by releasing this movie in pan and scan on DVD. After several failed attempts to convince Disney to release a widescreen version, I gave up and purchased a region-free DVD player and then purchased the region 2 version which was in widescreen.

All I can say was, it was worth it. Journey of Natty Gann is a wonderful movie and is perhaps one of Disney's best. The cast features Meredith Salenger, John Cusack, Ray Wise and Scatman Crothers who all put in terrific performances (special mention also goes out to Jed the dog who plays Natty's wolf companion). This movies also boasts some incredible outdoor photography and a memorable music score by James Horner.

The story is about a twelve year old girl named Natty (Meredith Salenger) who travels across 1930's America in search of her father. Along the way she has several adventures and meets up with another runaway named Harry (John Cusack).

I definitely recommend seeing this one.

Underrated hidden gem

[lisafordeay · 6/10 · 21 January 2024]

The Journey Of Natty Gann is a 1985 Adventure drama starring Meridth Salenger,John Cusack,Ray Wise and Laiene Kazen. The story follows a 12-year-old tomboy named Natty Gann(Salenger) from the 1930s whose single father (Wise) leaves her behind in Chicago while he goes to Washington to look for work in the timber industry.

Natty ends up being taken care of by(Kazen)who hates having her around and so Natty runs away from the shelter to follow her father. Along the way she befriends a wolf that has been abused in dog fights, hops on a train, and is presumed dead when her wallet is found after the train crashes.

Natty also has a series of adventures along with misadventures in various farmhouses, police stations, hobo camps, reform schools, and boxcars. She even meets a hobo(Cusack) who befriends her and shows her the way.

Overall it was a goos movie that I've never even heard of before so I was glad I found a hidden gem on Disney Plus.

A journey not to be missed!

[patherwill · 9/10 · 16 June 2013]

When I saw Meredith Salenger in the Title role of (The Journey of) Natty Gann as a TV Movie shortly after it was made I literally fell in love with her and I've followed her career ever since. She played a child a few years younger than her true age - she was 15 playing a 12 year old I believe but was able to carry it off quite easily due to her ultra slim figure and being small for her age. In the film her father has to leave her alone while he goes looking for work across the other side of the States BUT she is soon in hot pursuit and thus her journey, adventure and the excitement begins and what a series of episodes it is. She befriends and is befriended by a human(a young John Cusack) and a Wolf and they all look out for one another. A wonderful film, extremely good performances with Scatman Crothers in one of his final roles.

A movie I loved as a kid

[Samus Aran · 10/10 · 1 July 2002]

This movie was really great, it had an exciting and plausible plot, reasonable acting -- and it wasn't just cheesy crap compared to most of the other drivel that was being played for us kids at that time. This clearly stood out shining in my mind, up there with "The Neverending Story" and "Flight Of The Navigator". This movie didn't talk down to me as a child, which I quite liked. And it wasn't just another cartoon, which for the most part I found painfully dull in their lack of realism. The Natty character, and all those she meets on her adventures (including the wolf that she befriends), are unique, interesting, thought provoking ... and you actually care what happens to them all by the end.

And how many other movies aimed at youth have a kid getting chased away from eating out of a garbage dumpster ? Heh.

Great film !

I want to watch it again to see if I still like it as much, but I know I probably will ... I know the plot quite well, I did watch the movie at least 8 or 10 times as kid.

Snoozefest

[view_and_review · 5/10 · 21 January 2020]

This movie was a bore. A young teenage girl is trying to cross the country from Chicago to Washington state to reunite with her father and she faces all kinds of travails. I know it's supposed to be adorable, precious, moving, and all that jazz, but I wasn't feeling it.

I wasn't feeling the main character, Natty Gann (Meredeth Salenger). She was too annoying for my tastes. I get she had to be tough and maybe even a little bit sassy, but when she wasn't popping off at the mouth she was still annoying. Her face was enough to be annoying. Maybe it was too adult looking, or maybe it was too smug, in either case it was annoying.

tough bits but thats life

[jeffandsarah-1 · 10/10 · 1 January 2005]

I got this movie out for the family, and yes there are unsettling bits in it, vis - the dog fight, the abuse, the orphanage, the tree scene, when you think about it probably the whole film. And why is that? Probably due to the verisimilitude of the film to the times, the grainy nature just added to the realism, the times were tough so lets not sugar coat the experiences of those who went through them. Disney probably made this film by mistake but i'm glad they did. And I just love a story where a wolf gets equal billing in the sensibility stakes, even if it's a dog actor. Good film, good acting, great trains and the U.S. countryside never looked more beautiful. Oh and the DVD did jitter but settled down after clean ?, and it was letterbox for the widescreen so I didn't have to suffer amputation. 10 - 10

A Surprise From Disney

[nobuddy · 8 November 1999]

So, Disney finally did something right, and it's a nifty little tough grrrrl movie. It's touching and fun, with sometimes stunning cinematography and great location work.

The plot works despite a little Disney cheese... the direction and visuals are great... and John Cusack gives an early hint of what he can do.

Overall, it's delightful.