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What a Girl Wants

Play trailer Poster for What a Girl Wants PG 2003 1h 35m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
34% Tomatometer 108 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
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.
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What a Girl Wants

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Critics Consensus

Little girls will definitely enjoy it, but it's too syrupy and predictable for adults.

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Critics Reviews

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Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal 04/04/2018
What a Girl Wants plays like a TV cartoon, not even a sitcom, and makes little sense on its own terms. Go to Full Review
Nell Minow Common Sense Media 12/29/2010
3/5
Too-cute with a few iffy moments, but tweens will eat it up. Go to Full Review
Anya Kamenetz Village Voice 04/08/2003
A sanitized adventure for the Mary Kate-and-Ashley set. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 11/10/2024
1.5/4
...the arms-length atmosphere [is] compounded by a wheel-spinning narrative and Bynes’ irritatingly larger-than-life performance. Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 12/28/2021
What a Girl Wants may be predictable but this comedy will never not be enjoyable. Go to Full Review
Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 03/10/2021
3/5
a gawp-fest for those interested in slumming acting talent and off-kilter observations about Britishness... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Sarai M Nov 19 The movie to me seemed like there was some kind of romantic tension between the daughter and dad i dont know i just got the vibe from it, i didnt really like that since this was supposed to be a father daughter movie See more Hannah L Oct 26 I love this movie. Quirky Amanda Bynes and awkwardly lovable Colin Firth both do an amazing job. Nostalgic, fun movie. See more Leah O Aug 22 the plot is very predictable but it is funny and very entertaining and enjoyable See more Molly S Jun 7 I love this movie, despite popular opinion. Sure, It's not the most unpredictable, but it makes up for that in a lovable protagonist and humor. Good if you want something funny. See more Rami A May 29 This was such a huge drag. It takes forever to develop the plot or get invested with the characters. See more thiago s @Thiagostone May 7 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, os personagens sao fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom. See more Read all reviews
What a Girl Wants

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Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Dennie Gordon
Producer
Denise Di Novi, Bill Gerber, Hunt Lowry
Screenwriter
Jenny Hicks, Elizabeth Chandler
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Gaylord Films
Rating
PG (Mild Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 4, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 28, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$36.0M
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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