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What a Girl Wants

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What a Girl Wants (2003)

March. 27,2003
|
5.8
|
PG
| Drama Comedy Romance Family
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An American girl, Daphne, heads to Europe in search of the father she's never met. But instead of finding a British version of her bohemian mother, she learns the love of her mom's life is an uptight politician. The only problem now is that her long-lost dad is engaged to a fiercely territorial social climber with a daughter who makes Daphne's life miserable.

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FeistyUpper
2003/03/27

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

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Matrixiole
2003/03/28

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

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Paynbob
2003/03/29

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

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Guillelmina
2003/03/30

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

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Python Hyena
2003/03/31

What a Girl Wants (2003): Dir: Dennie Gordon / Cast: Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston, Jonathan Pryce, Oliver James: Recycled teen family film about the importance of good adult role models. Amanda Bynes stars as a girl who longs to see her father who has been absent for seventeen years. She works as a caterer at a banquet her mother sings at. She tells of how her father got into British politics and how she was secretly sent away by his officials. What follows is pure formula as Bynes shows up to meet her father. He is bewildered and overwhelmed while his current fiancé and stepdaughter would prefer that she left. The main joke is that her lifestyle clashes with their culture. An improvement for director Dennie Gordon after making the pathetic The Adventures of Joe Dirt but it is not much of one. Bynes is an absolute delight and holds strong despite predictable developments. Colin Firth as her father is given a good back story before being subdued with standard material that concludes with him learning the truth. Flat supporting roles by Kelly Preston as Bynes's mother, and Jonathan Pryce as one of the corrupt officials. Oliver James plays her romantic interest and he has less personality than a plastic Ken doll. What a girls wants is what everyone needs, and in this case it would be to star in a film of much higher potential than this paper thin charade. Score: 3 ½ / 10

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SnoopyStyle
2003/04/01

It has always been just Daphne Reynolds (Amanda Bynes) and her mom Libby (Kelly Preston) in their tiny NY apartment above a restaurant in Chinatown. She always tells her about her father Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth) whose British aristocratic family did not approve. The 17 year old runs off to London to find his dad and possibly a missing piece in her life. He's abandoning his seat in the House of Lords to run for office. He's a rising political star and getting married to Glynnis Payne (Anna Chancellor), the daughter of his adviser Alistair Payne (Jonathan Pryce) and mother to Clarissa Payne (Christina Cole).It's a standard premise and not particularly well done. Amanda Bynes is suitably adorable and sweet. She's at her bumbling bubbly best. Colin Firth is terribly stiff and oddly weak-minded. It's a stock character that keeps him from developing real chemistry. It's a teen girl fantasy with a dud prince charming. There's even the evil 'step-mother' and 'step-sister'. It's a silly movie that doesn't really work.

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EchoMaRinE
2003/04/02

I am truly glad to see this movie. It is giving what it should. This is a nice romantic comedy with great soundtracks. The story is neither something new nor unpredictable but yet it is fun to watch. Great acting, charming environment, nice jokes, beautiful music and a great directing, I think this is my summary for the movie. I always think a movie should be evaluated within its genre and as a romantic comedy, this is a true success. As a movie, it is entertaining, has a clear and good message, and has an intelligently prepared plot. If you are looking for something fun to watch, give it a try. Even if you don't like the story, the music is truly great.

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Amy Adler
2003/04/03

Daphne Reynolds (an enchanting Amanda Bynes) lives in Chinatown with her lovely mother, Libby (Kelly Preston), a smalltime wedding singer. But, although she has never met him, Daphne's father is Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), a Britisher who was briefly married to Libby 17 years ago. It is possible, shortly after the happy nuptials, that advisers to the lord privately arranged for Libby to be shunned and sent packing, due to her being a hippie-type American. Lord Dashwood does not know he has a daughter at all but, things can change. Daphne is determined to meet him and, leaving her mother a note, she flies to London on her own. Naturally, the lord is astonished to learn he is a parent but his surprise is nothing compared to that of his stuffy fiancé and her equally snobbish daughter. Soon enough, Henry embraces and welcomes his daughter into his circle, despite the fact that he is running for prime minister and the free-spirited Daphne could be a liability. But, with the same advisers in place, will Daphne be sent packing, too? And, does Henry truly love his intended or does he still harbor feelings for Libby, being unaware of why she left him in the first place? This is a lovely, funny, touching story with fairy tale elements. Who would not want to suddenly go from a walk-up apartment in Chinatown to a stately mansion, complete with servants, deep pockets, and titled relatives, in London? As the buoyant and sweet Daphne, Bynes turns in a wonderful performance. She gives American girls a good name and, sister, can she dance! Preston is likewise fine as the bohemian but lovely mother and Firth, well, he is utter perfection as the sophisticated aristocrat who, nevertheless, knows the true value of a person, not a heritage or title. The rest of the cast, including Jonathan Pryce and Anna Chancellor, is quite nice, also. Understandably, the London setting is beautiful and the production values are high. Especially noteworthy are the costumes, for they are very well chosen, with the sunkissed Bynes looking lovely at every turn. If you thought this film was for teenage girls only, this viewer urges you to give it a try, most certainly if you are a big romcom fan. It has two love stories to tell, one for the younger set and one for the older, and after a humorous, meaningful tale, it finishes with a joyous bang that will satisfy most any soul.

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