“What a Girl Wants 2003” is a charming romantic comedy about a free-spirited American girl named Daphne who goes to London in search of her estranged British father. Along the way, she falls in love with a charming musician named Ian, but faces obstacles in her quest to reunite with her father due to his overbearing fiancée and intolerant political views. Despite these challenges, Daphne remains determined to embrace both her American and British roots and find happiness on her own terms.
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Review
What a Girl Wants: An Empowering Story of Self-Discovery and Love
If you’re looking for a heartwarming, coming-of-age movie that celebrates girl power, look no further than What a Girl Wants. Directed by Dennie Gordon and released in 2003, this film tells the story of Daphne Reynolds, an American teenager who travels to England in search of her estranged father.
The movie stars Amanda Bynes as Daphne, a spunky and determined girl who is not afraid to stand up for herself. Colin Firth plays her father, Henry Dashwood, a wealthy politician who is initially reluctant to acknowledge his daughter’s existence but eventually comes around. Kelly Preston also stars as Daphne’s mother, Libby.
The plot revolves around Daphne’s journey to reconnect with her father and find her place in the world. Along the way, she encounters obstacles such as Henry’s snobby fiancée Glynnis (Anna Chancellor) and his disapproving colleagues. However, with the help of her new friends Ian (Oliver James), Armistead (Jonathan Pryce), and Jocelyn (Christina Cole), Daphne learns to embrace her unique personality and stand up for what she believes in.
What sets What a Girl Wants apart from other teenage rom-coms is its emphasis on female empowerment. Daphne is not just a love interest or sidekick; she is the protagonist of her own story. She takes charge of her life and refuses to be held back by societal expectations or gender norms. In one memorable scene, she crashes a fancy ball wearing a punk rock outfit and dances on stage with Ian, much to the shock of the stuffy aristocrats in attendance.
The movie also explores themes of identity and belonging. Daphne struggles with feeling like she doesn’t fit in anywhere; she’s too American for England but too British for America. However, through her experiences in London, she learns to embrace her hybrid identity and appreciate the different parts of herself.
Another standout element of What a Girl Wants is its excellent soundtrack. The film features catchy pop songs by artists like Hilary Duff, Bowling for Soup, and Lillix. These upbeat tunes perfectly capture the movie’s playful and energetic tone.
Despite its uplifting message and entertaining plot, What a Girl Wants received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. Some praised its positive portrayal of girl power and Bynes’ charming performance, while others criticized it for being formulaic and predictable.
However, the movie has since gained a cult following among fans who appreciate its optimistic outlook and catchy music. It has also become a beloved classic for fans of early 2000s nostalgia.
In addition to its enduring popularity, What a Girl Wants was also notable for featuring Colin Firth in a comedic role. Prior to this film, Firth was primarily known for his dramatic roles in period pieces like Pride & Prejudice and Bridget Jones’s Diary. However, his turn as Henry Dashwood showed audiences that he had a talent for comedy as well.
Overall, What a Girl Wants is an enjoyable and empowering movie that celebrates the importance of self-discovery, familial love, and girl power. It may not be groundbreaking or innovative, but it’s still worth revisiting as an uplifting dose of nostalgia. As Daphne herself says: “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
Technical Data
- Runtime : 105
- Release : 2003-03-27
- Genre : Comedy, Romance, Drama, Family
- Cast : Amanda Bynes as Daphne Reynolds, Colin Firth as Henry Dashwood, Kelly Preston as Libby Reynolds, Eileen Atkins as Jocelyn Dashwood, Anna Chancellor as Glynnis Payne
- Crew : Denise Di Novi as Producer, Rupert Gregson-Williams as Original Music Composer, Andrew Dunn as Director of Photography, Shay Cunliffe as Costume Design, Michael Carlin as Production Design
- Popularity 17.939
- Budget : $20,000,000
- Revenue : $50,732,139
- Company : Sloane Square Films, Di Novi Pictures, Gaylord Films
- Summary : 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.
- Tagline : Trying to fit in. Born to stand out.
