
What a Girl Wants
2003, Comedy/Drama, 1h 35m
109 Reviews 250,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Little girls will definitely enjoy it, but it's too syrupy and predictable for adults. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
What a Girl Wants Photos
Movie Info
On a whim, American teenager Daphne (Amanda Bynes) boards a plane to England to find the father she never met. Upon arriving there, though, she makes a startling discovery: The man she's looking for is Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth), a member of the British upper class, who is running for political office. Lord Henry didn't know Daphne existed, but he welcomes her into his life. However, she isn't so sure -- and his family and his current betrothed look on her disapprovingly.
Cast & Crew
Amanda Bynes
Daphne Reynolds
Daphne Reynolds
Colin Firth
Lord Henry Dashwood
Lord Henry Dashwood
Kelly Preston
Libby Reynolds
Libby Reynolds
Eileen Atkins
Lady Jocelyn
Lady Jocelyn
Anna Chancellor
GLynnis
GLynnis
Jonathan Pryce
Alastair Payne
Alastair Payne
Critic Reviews for What a Girl Wants
Audience Reviews for What a Girl Wants
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Aug 18, 2012If you are feeling a little down and want to watch a happily-ever-after fairy tale, this is the movie for you!Red L Super Reviewer
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Jul 11, 2011I thought this was a really cute movie. Although it's defiantly predictable, the cast of well known actors and actresses makes this a great feel good film. The story line follows a young American girl named Daphne Reynolds (played by Amanda Bynes) whose mother Libby (Kelly Preston) fell in love with an aristocratic young Englishman, Lord Henry Dashwood (Colin Firth) in her youth but who was separated from him by family and social pressures. Daphne has dreamed of being reunited with her father, and so she sets off for London in search of him. That's not difficult, as he is running for Parliament and campaigning everywhere. Daphne discovers that he is soon to be married to a snobby young Englishwoman (Anna Chancellor) with an equally ambitious and even more conceited daughter (Christina Cole). Neither of them can stomach Daphne's surprise arrival and will do everything they can to undermine Daphne's relationship with her new found dad. Apart from that this high-spirited young American is not well-suited to life among the prim and proper expectations of the British upper class and lots of mini-disasters occur as her father tries to introduce her to English society. On the whole, I did enjoy this film very much, because Amanda Bynes is adorable and the chemistry between she and 'Dad' Firth seems natural and unforced. I was especially delighted to see the usually staid Colin Firth with new moves - the dance-in-the-mirror scene, for one in which he dons a t-shirt and tight black leather pants while playing an air guitar. Then there is a cutie musician named Oliver James as Ian Wallace who sang the songs Long Time Coming and Greatest Story Ever Told, which were on the film's soundtrack.Deb S Super Reviewer
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Jul 03, 2011Charming, a little silly, good father-daughter bonding, not half bad, a party fun girl movie, and it was somehow emotional for me. It would be worst, but exceptional.Angel G Super Reviewer
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Jun 23, 2011Oliver James and Amanda Bynes are a really good couple in this film and I really enjoyed it. It's a great chick flick and it's quite funny at times. It's a must see!Bethany M Super Reviewer
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