"She's The Man," or at least, she pretends to be
Photo Courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures
Amanda Bynes play Viola Johnson and Viola’s brother, Sebastian, in “She’s The Man,” a modern day spin on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” |
By Valerie Westen
The Collegian
“She’s The Man” is another one of those high school movies that you thought would not be worth going to the theaters for. But wait just a minute, you might be surprised.
Although this 105-minute-long, PG-13 movie targets a teenage audience, the Nickelodeon star, Amanda Bynes, is amazingly funny and will make all who see it laugh.
Based on Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night,” the contemporary romantic comedy directed by Andy Fickman (Showtime’s “Reefer Madness: the Movie Musical”) showcases actors who play high schoolers but look like models in their early 20s.
So this is it: “Duke wants Olivia, who likes Sebastian, who is really Viola, whose brother is dating Monique, so she hates Olivia who’s with Duke to make Sebastian jealous, who is really Viola who is crushing on Duke, who thinks she is a guy...”
Don’t be scared by the previews, the plot might sound complicated at first but ends up falling into place very simply and is almost too predictable.
Viola Johnson (Amanda Bynes) has a twin brother Sebastian (James Kirk) who goes to London to play music. She uses this opportunity to take his place at boarding school to play soccer on the boys’ team to prove to herself and everyone that she is good enough, because her old high school refused to take her in the team.
With the help of her friends, she disguises herself into her brother and makes the team. But she did not count on falling for her roommate Duke (Channing Tatum) who has a crush on another girl in school, Olivia (Laura Ramsey).
Things pick up and more characters enter the scene to make this hilarious movie an improbable yet enjoyable comedy.
Bynes is unbelievable but other funny protagonists are worth watching as well: the weird Principal Gold (David Cross), Sebastian’s psycho ex-girlfriend Monique (Alex Breckenridge), and the jealous nerd Malcom (James Snyder).
Get ready to see girls fight, boys cry, tampons stopping bloody noses and boys frightened by spiders. Add to that a girl trying to act as a boy, and you have the perfect combination of comedy and silliness.
The movie is even more enjoyable for soccer fans. Famous British “footballer” Vinnie Jones plays Coach Dinklage, the expected tough-guy soccer coach who adds a “Bend It Like Beckham” flavor to the film.
“She’s The Man” is a girl’s battle to prove that women can be as good as men, and although the end might seem cheesy, you will applaud Bynes’ and the rest of the cast’s performances.
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