So very 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' (2005) meets 'The Prince and the Pauper' (so many versions to choose from, including the book). It's a very pretty film, shot in Paris and Monte Carlo about three girls: the perfect and adorable Grace (Selena Gomez); the slut with a steady beau (Katie Cassidy, daughter of 70's pop star David Cassidy),; and the uptight step sister who can't move on since her mother's death (LeightonMeester). They go on a long dreamt of trip to Paris. When Grace is mistaken for pompous heiress Cordelia Winthrop Scott, she fills in for the heiress at a Monte Carlo bash and charity auction, all expenses paid, while said heiress disappears to Majorca.
One subtle inside joke referring to 'traveling pants...,' is that all three girls fit into the heiress' clothes and shoes which is not as difficult as it was for the three disparately sized protagonists in 'Sisterhood...' who fit into the one pair of magical jeans. In Monte Carlo, Grace, the clone of heiress Cordelia (both being played by Gomez), is the one who complains the clothes don't fit correctly.
The three buddies taste the extravagant life, meet rich, handsome men unlike any from back home in Texas and experience a little high jinx while trying to maintain the charade. No big surprises -- you can even play a non-disruptive-to-other-audience-members game of figuring out the end for each of the girls. The one who guesses first gets a free non-fat frozen yogurt. Nothing more expensive should be given since the game is so easy. This a fairytale for young teens has easily recognizable stereotypes of heroines and nasty people taking place in a Principality. There are lots of handsome Prince-like guys, beautiful gowns, yachts and even a whole case full of make-up. What could be more perfect?
Monte Carlo
Director: Thomas Bezucha
Writer: Thomas Bezucha, April Blair, Maria Maggenti, Kelly Bowe from the novel 'Headhunters' by Jules Bass
Cast: Selena Gomez, Katie Cassidy, Leighton Meester, Cory Monteith, Andie MacDowell, Brett Cullen, Amanda Fairbanks-Hynes, Luke Bracey, Pierre Boulanger, Catherine Tate
Time:
Rating: PG
Opening July 1 at the Metreon and AMC Van Ness in San Francisco
Comments