Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- gentle
- warm
- sincere
- family movie night
- educational viewing
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ivy Ling struggles to reconcile her Chinese-American family life with her desire to resemble her all-American best friend Julie.
Ivy's gymnastics tournament takes place on the same day as her family's Chinese New Year dinner.
The family's Chinese New Year dinner becomes the central obligation Ivy must weigh against her tournament.
Ivy relies on Julie to help her navigate the difficult choice between gymnastics and family tradition.
Films like An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance, and why
Akeelah and the Bee
family-friendly coming-of-age drama centered on friendship, cultural identity, and an important personal choice
The Baby-Sitters Club
warm youth drama about friendship, family expectations, and balancing personal goals with community ties
The Joy Luck Club
gentle family coming-of-age story exploring cultural heritage and a young protagonist's growing independence
Movie Details
- Director
- Sasie Sealy
- Release Date
- 2017-03-24
- Runtime
- 43 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (11)
Cast
- Nina Lu
- Hannah Nordberg
- Gwendoline Yeo
- Rob Yang
- Lance Lim
- Elizabeth Sung
- Tzi Ma
- Caitlin McGee
- Karen Huie
- Kyran Lynch
Common questions
- What is An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance about?
- A Chinese-American girl in 1976 San Francisco must reconcile her gymnastics ambitions with her family's Chinese New Year traditions.
- What is An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance.
- Which films are like An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance?
- Films with a similar feel include Akeelah and the Bee, The Baby-Sitters Club, and The Joy Luck Club.
- How long is An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance?
- An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance runs 43 minutes.
In Ember's collections
Movies like An American Girl Story - Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance
- All Together Now2020
- Pushing Hands1991
- An American Girl Story: Summer Camp, Friends For Life2017
- An American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight2014
- American Girl: Corinne Tan2023
- Karate Kid: Legends2025
- An American Girl: Chrissa Stands Strong2009
- An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars2012
- An American Girl Story - Melody 1963: Love Has to Win2016
- If I Could Ride
