Sydney White

They're no longer classics after Amanda Bynes gets her hands on them

By Matt Pais

September 21, 2007

 
Critic's Rating:
1 1/2

Sydney White
Photos:
A scene from the film "Sydney White." A scene from the film "Sydney White." A scene from the film "Sydney White." A scene from the film "Sydney White."
Sydney White
Running time:
108 minutes
Rated:
PG-13
Cast:
Amanda Bynes -
Sydney White
Sara Paxton -
Rachel
Matt Long -
Tyler
Jack Carpenter -
Lenny
Jeremy Howard -
Terrence
See full cast
Director:
Joe Nussbaum
Genre:
Comedy
Official Movie Web Site:
http://www.sydneywhite.net/
Movie Trailer:
View Trailer
Overall User Rating:
3 1/2 (3 ratings)
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Trying to join the same sorority as her late mother, unglamorous college freshman Sydney White (Amanda Bynes) clashes with the house president Rachel Witchburn (Sara Paxton) and her two evil followers. The Witch is more concerned with being the fairest of them all on a campus "Hot or not" website and winning back Tyler Prince (Matt Long), a totally deep, dreamy frat guy who sings like Nick Lachey and volunteers with the homeless.

Big question: Is this retelling of "Snow White" better than "She's the Man," Bynes' update of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night"?

Skip it: Bynes' comic timing has the subtlety of a snowball to the face. While "Sydney White" attempts to show that everyone has a dorky side, it also contradicts itself when it doesn't allow for flexibility within cliques, as if a sorority girl couldn't possibly be in an a cappella group too.

Catch it: If you don't mind the casual interpretations of Sydney's allied group of dorks/dwarves, since Spanky (Samm Levine) is more horny than happy and George (Arnie Pantoja) seems less dopey than mentally challenged. Surely, just as Walt Disney intended!

Bottom line: It's tough to hate Bynes since she just doesn't seem to know any better, but "Sydney White" confirms her status as Hollywood's go-to gal for oblivious tomboys who treat everything that happens to them as if it's, like, so confusing and awkward. You'll love the movie, however, if all you want is finely sculpted college students and lines like, "That girl wouldn't know her Gucci from her Pucci." 


Bonus: The film's only clever use of the Snow White blueprint: As one of the geeks passes The Witch, he mutters, "Hi, ho." Nice.

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