By Laura Gray

An invitation to the “party of the year” has your daughter over the moon – until she gets one for the same night to her best friend’s more intimate birthday get-together. Should she cancel her RSVP to Party No. 1? Or will her best friend understand the social opportunity at stake if she chooses Party No. 2?
Weighing the consequences of her actions, your daughter finally chooses to forego her shot at lifelong popularity – as she sees it – for loyalty to her friend. She realizes that our choices can have far-reaching effects, especially on those we cherish. That’s the same truth discovered by pop star incognito Miley Cyrus in “Hannah Montana The Movie,” now available on DVD. Enjoy the film at home with your kids and then discuss its finer points with our Talk Together conversation starters. Later, get creative with our Pieces of Me activity – you’ll find it’s no “puzzle” to see who matters in your life.
In Disney’s “Hannah Montana The Movie,” Miley is enjoying living the pop star life and all its excesses just a little too much. And when she has a run-in with another celebrity at a posh boutique it’s all caught on film by the paparazzi. That’s when Miley’s dad steps in. He whisks her away to the family farm in Tennessee. Now she’s forced to trade in her designer duds for overalls and calico.
Before long, Miley finds herself falling for her down-to-earth neighbors, as well as Travis, the cute cowboy who works on her grandmother’s farm. She also begins to see the toll her glamorous life is taking on her family. Maybe having the “best of both worlds” isn’t that great after all.
Then a greedy developer threatens to destroy the nearby town of Crowley Corners by building a shopping mall. The townspeople, led by Miley’s grandmother, plan a benefit concert to raise money to fight the developer. Travis suggests that Miley, who claims she knows Hannah Montana, invite her famous friend to perform.
During the concert, Miley decides her double life is more than she – or her loved ones – can handle. She announces she will no longer be Hannah and removes her wig, revealing her true identity. But her fans beg her to keep singing, promising to keep her secret. Miley realizes that her decisions have a ripple effect, so she must choose wisely. In the end, she continues her dual identity with a newfound confidence.

TALK TOGETHER

Miley’s life as Hannah is very different from her “normal” life. What are some of the differences you see in the movie? Which ones would you enjoy the most if you were Miley?
Being famous has its drawbacks for Hannah/Miley. What are some of the difficulties she faces? How do they affect her dad and her friend, Lilly?
Imagine a particular situation and how your choices would affect your family and friends. Roleplay each person’s response. For example, if you decided to join your school’s football team, when would you find time for homework? Who would pick you up after your workouts? When would your family be together to eat dinner? Would your family attend all your football games or just the home games?

PLAY TOGETHER: Pieces of Me

Show your “connections” with this not-so-puzzling craft!

You will need:
• Large, interlocking puzzle pieces
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Ribbon or yarn
• Hole punch

Choose two or more interlocking puzzle pieces and punch holes through one end. Cover the puzzle pieces, front and back, with paint. When dry, paint or draw your initial and those of your friend or friends on the pieces. Thread a length of ribbon or yarn through the holes. Wear one and give the others to your friends. Let your necklace be a reminder of how the choices you make affect the people you love – the ones you are “connected” to!

For more film fun, go to www.Cinematters.com.

© 2009, Cinematters.