When was the last time you saw a movie aimed at teenagers in which the term "calling" was used and treated with some seriousness? In this wholesome and surprising drama directed by Tim Fywell and written by Hadley Davis, Michelle Trachtenberg plays Casey, a self-described science geek. Her high school physics teacher tells her that she is one of the lucky few who has a calling to this field. He volunteers to recommend her for a scholarship to Harvard. She has the grades; all she has to do is come up with a practical science project that shows off her skills and passion for the field. Casey's single mother Joan (Joan Cusack), an avid feminist, couldn't be more happy since this advancement up the ladder of success has been her dream for her daughter all along.

Casey decides to do her research project on the aerodynamics of skating, a sport that she enjoys anyway. The nearest practice arena is owned and run by Tina Harwood (Kim Cattrall), a former Olympic contender who now coaches her talented daughter Gen (Hayden Panettiere). She pushes her relentlessly, and their relationship is quite strained. Her handsome son Teddy (Trevor Blumas) is a handyman who also cleans the ice with a Zamboni.

Casey realizes that she could get more out of her project if she began taking skating lessons. While on the ice, she comes to see that skating is her real calling and decides to enter the up-coming competition. She receives moral support from Teddy, who admires her pluck. After Casey helps Gen with a computer analysis of one of her jumps, she suddenly finds herself a friend of one of the most popular girls at school. But her new vocation takes a lot of time, and her school work suffers. And she has to keep her skating secret from her mother who disapproves of the skimpy competition outfits.

Adolescence is a time of life when some fortunate individuals find a calling that enables them to act on their passion and to fulfill their dreams. Ice Princess works thanks to the subtle and engaging performance by Michelle Trachtenberg who moves gracefully from being a physics nerd to a skating hopeful. The plot developments follow a predictable course but there are a few surprises that peep through and lift our spirits.


DVD special features include an alternate opening, deleted scenes, and audio commentary with the cast members.