Movie spotlight
What a Girl Wants
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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Plot Summary
17-year-old Daphne Reynolds travels from New York City to London to find her estranged father, a prominent politician. Upon arrival, she discovers he is engaged to a controlling woman and has a snobbish fiancée. Daphne's unconventional behavior and attempts to bond with her father create chaos and clash with his traditional lifestyle and social circle.
Critical Reception
The film received generally negative reviews from critics, with many finding the plot predictable and formulaic. While Amanda Bynes's performance was sometimes cited as a positive, the overall execution failed to impress most reviewers. Audiences, however, were more receptive to the lighthearted romantic comedy.
What Reviewers Say
A predictable and often tiresome teen romantic comedy.
Amanda Bynes does her best to elevate the thin material.
Fails to offer anything new to the 'fish out of water' genre.
Google audience: Audience reviews indicate that while the film is lighthearted and enjoyable for its target demographic, it is often seen as formulaic and lacking in originality. Many found Amanda Bynes charming, but the plot was generally considered predictable.
Fun Fact
The role of Henry Dashwood was originally offered to Hugh Grant, but he declined.
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