Just perfect...

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

This romantic comedy is really cute and a must watch. Amanda bynes plays the part of the main character so effortlessly . the movie plot was very well written and it is not too predictable

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

Film Review: What a Girl Wants In 2003 Amanda Bynes played one of her most infamous roles in What a Girl Want directed by Dennie Gordon. The film is filled with lively and emotional music that enhances the film storyline. While also filled with a rambunctious cast of all ages which brings a great sense of character to the movie. What a Girl Wants redefines the classic teenage romantic comedy putting a new reliability to the audience. Bynes character is an outgoing American teenager who is in search for her long lost father who is a wealthy British politician that is running for office. The movie shows the up and downs of Daphne's characters journey to build a relationship with her father and how she may have to change her wild ways to be accepted by her father and his lifestyle. Gordon does a great job of integrating upbeat music to the light heart scene and uses it as the glue that binds the movie together. What a Girl Wants is a light hearted film that shows the journeys both parents and teens take as they begin to mature. The film's soundtrack enhances the scenes in the movie and helps set the mood for the audience. From start to end the music creates the ambiance in each scene. The film's opening is an emotional father daughter dance scene which Daphne observes as she waitresses the wedding, the song played in the background foreshadows the upcoming story plot to the film. Music transitions the film very well by being intertwined to keep it up beat. Though some may say the songs can be corny and very teen oriented, the lyrics and beat can be masked, by the charm of their singer Ian Wallace (Oliver James), Daphne's love interest in the film. In addition, to that Gordon adds in classic songs such as 'What a Wonderful World', and 'Have I told you lately.' Making this film appealing to all ages and not just teens since Gordon mixes classics and modern day songs throughout the film which make this film the perfect family night movie. Amanda Bynes, Oliver James, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston, and Eileen Atkins this film is filled with a variety of talent characters of all ages. Each bringing a different personality to the screen and making the movie humorous, sentimental, and emotional. Bynes character brings a youthful feel to the movie and keeps it upbeat from her crazy dancing scenes, her messy love triangle, to bickering with her soon to be stepsister, she brings the light heartiness to a film that everyone enjoys watching. James plays Daphne's bad boy love interest who character is essential to any good teen film because teens need something to admire, and his charming personality defiantly wraps in the ladies. Firth's and Preston's characters relates to many parents as the film shows their struggle through parenting a teen and the wild emotions that go through them every time they walk out the door. While Atkins character bring wisdom and humor to the film with her witty British comments while being a source of reason to both Daphne and her son. Her character is truly the Virgil of the film. The plethora of characters is what makes this film appealing to all viewers and makes it a film that enjoyable to many. What a Girl Wants is a film that may be underestimated and looked at as another teen romantic comedy but with Gordon's directing, soundtrack, and cast this film is a top notch romantic comedy. Where the viewer's goes through a roller coaster of emotions and are constantly moving to the beat of the catchy soundtrack. The plot of the movie also has endless turn with character of Pryce (Firth's adviser who wants to get rid of Daphne), and Cole (who is Bynes soon to be step sister and is constantly trying to sabotage her); their characters keep the film interesting. What a Girl wants is a warm hearted film just about girl trying to finally have a father in her life. Though both go through their struggles of trying to adapt to their new lifestyle the core of the movie is the bond a parent and child have. This is why this movie is perfect for the family to gather around with a bowl of popcorn on weekend night and watch together because it truly shows the bond of family.

Watching father/daughter dances is just another day in the life for Daphnie Reynolds. She works as a server at weddings, while her mother Libby is a wedding singer. With each blessed event in which another couple says "I do," there is another father/daughter dance, and Daphnie's heart breaks a little more, because she has never met her own dad. She knows that he is a famous public figure in England...but that's about all.The curious teenager decides to do something about this. She saves her money and when she has enough to make the trip... Well, let's just say that Lord Henry Dashwood, diplomat, running for Prime Minister, is in for a real shock. The thing is, so is Daphnie's mom Libby..."Henry, is she there??"A very sweet family comedy with a little something for everyone. Some of the comedy and storyline is a bit candy coated and far fetched...but this is easily forgiven because of Colin Firth being in the leading role, and Amanda Bynes heartwarming performance as Daphnie. We appreciate her uniqueness, and are able to root for her from beginning to end. I personally loved this film because little Amanda Bynes ("Ask Ashley" from "All That") proves that she's all grown up now, and does an amazing job! She holds her own with Colin Firth, and keeps viewer interested in her character from start to finish. A bonus for me was all the sights of England in the film...Westminster Bridge, The London Eye, the buildings of Parliament, red double decker buses. I almost felt like I was there myself.