Miss Lettie and Me

Of the "curmudgeonly old woman learns the True Meaning of Life from an adorable child" school, this predictable, sticky-sentimental made-for-TV movie is set in a fantasy retro American South in which a) rich old women play mahjongg and sip mint-flavored iced tea, b) cheerful black servants work the plantation and dish out deep philosophy, and c) used-to-be-famous ballplayers return home to Main Street to open soda fountains. Here, annoyingly "spunky" little gal Travis (Holliston Coleman) comes to stay with her great aunt Lettie, whose lifelong embitterment is only exacerbated by that perpetually pained look of too-much-plastic-surgery on Mary Tyler Moore's face, but sage groundskeeper Isaiah (Charles Robinson) and his wise mama (Irma P. Hall) will help smooth the way to Lettie's heart. Unless you're eager to choke on a big helping of Southern hoo-ha, this is strictly optional. (M. Johanson)