Amanda Bynes shines in What a Girl Wants

Amanda Bynes shines in What a Girl Wants, making the film a fun and entertaining experience for all, despite its highly-predictable plot.

Bynes plays Daphne Reynolds, a spunky seventeen year old living in the Big Apple with her mom Libby (Kelly Preston). Every birthday Daphne hears the same story about how fate brought her parents together in the desert of Morocco and how her father's royal family ripped them apart. Every telling of this story makes Daphne wish she could get acquainted with her father. Just after Daphne graduates high school, she decides to follow her heart. She jumps on a plane and flies to London to meet the dad she never knew.

Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth) turns out to be a stuffy, uptight man with very little spark left in him. After Daphne sneaks into the palace, she is invited to meet the family and stay for the summer. After meeting her father's fiancé, Glynnis, and soon-to-be step-daughter, Clarissa, Daphne concludes that all the family needs is a little light-hearted fun. Daphne tries to make friends with the family, yet everyone is snobby and boring. In one scene, an overjoyed Daphne attempts to hug her grandmother. The grandmother responds, "No hugs dear. I'm British- we only show affection to dogs and horses."

Daphne does make friends with Ian, a cute rebellious musician who shocks the family almost as much as Daphne does. Ian rides a motor-bike and gives off the "bad boy" vibe to Daphne's family. Through city tours and canoe rides, Daphne and Ian become an item, much to the dismay of her father and family.

Her father, Henry, is running for a position in the House of Commons, and Daphne seems to be an obstacle in his path to success. From escaping a kiss with a rich snob by pushing him into a pond, to breaking an antique chandelier in an attempt to get the party started, Daphne ruins countless events. She doesn't just cause a scene, she causes "a whole Broadway musical."

What a Girl Wants is structured by it's casting choices. What the plot lacks in substance is made up for by the strength of the actors. Despite her youth, Amanda Bynes has a lot of experience and is well-tailored to the part of Daphne. Colin Firth plays Lord Dashwood like a natural father. Each casting choice was well-made and can be justified in many ways. The chemistry between Bynes and Firth is very realistic, as is the relationship between Bynes and Preston.

What a Girl Wants provides many laughs and smiles. Seeming to be a film directed towards teenagers, the comedic relief was also targeted for adults and pre-teens. What a Girl Wants is a perfect mother-daughter film.

The film is as predictable as The Parent Trap and equally entertaining. In addition, some parallels can be drawn between The Princess Diaries and What a Girl Wants. Both films have the same classic plot, consisting of a head-strong teenage girl dealing with the pressure to fit in with those around her.

Amanda Bynes certainly sparkles in this classic chick-flick. What a Girl Wants is lighthearted and fun; a night of entertainment for the whole family.

Rated PG, 105 minutes