‘SHE’S THE MAN’ (2006)

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Loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, She’s the Man is a fun tale. It may have some flaws, but really it’s far too much fun to ignore.

She’s the Man (2006) Film Review

For the love of soccer, Viola Hastings (Amanda Bynes) is willing to go to any extreme. She’s the captain of her school’s soccer team and her boyfriend, Justin (Robert Hoffman) things she’s better than most of the guys on his team. When the school cuts budgets and Viola’s team is taken down with it, Viola’s optimism suggests that the girls join up with the boy’s team, a suggestion that only gets scoffed at and causes her to lose Justin. Fortunately for her, inspiration strikes and Viola comes up with an ingenious plan.  

Her opportunity to continue playing presents itself when her twin brother Sebastian (James Kirk) heads off to London without his parent’s knowledge. During Sebastian’s absence, she poses as him at his private school; after all, the faculty and student body have never even seen Sebastian, she’s got this. With a little bit of “magic,” Viola transforms into “Sebastian.”  But this is more trouble than she bargains for! She must dodge Sebastian’s high-maintenance girlfriend Monique (Alex Breckenridge) and put in the occasional appearance as herself. Then she meets Duke (Channing Tatum), the cute star player on the team.

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‘SHE'S THE MAN’ (2006). A teen girl swaps lives with her brother in order to play soccer. Amanda Bynes stars. Text © Rissi JC

She’s the Man has no shortage of fun cases of mistaken identity and cute romantics. There are certainly plenty of different but connected plots and subplots in this adorable teen flick. I remember the first time I saw this one laughing myself silly (much to the chagrin of my father – he wondered what I could find so humorous) and loving it. Since then, I have seen this countless times, and each viewing, coming to like it a bit more.

A bit quirky, this is all the more cute by its amusing antics and spot-on witty humor; which funny-girl Amanda Bynes mostly carries. As an actress, I think she’s one of the funniest people on the big-screen. One of the funniest scenes involves a package of
feminine products and nose bleeds. It’s hilarious. Partly because of everyone’s reactions and partly the laughs come because of a secondary scene that comes about because of the first. Playing twin siblings, James and Amanda compliment each other with a resemblance and looking back, it’s a lot of fun seeing Channing in this as it’s likely one of his early roles.  

Given the decline of entertainment today, this movie might actually be one of the “cleaner” PG13 comedies. Unfortunate as it may be, the movie still has a lot of cute moments. Very few movies have such an easy, breezy way of amusing. This one did that times ten. Am I saying that everyone will agree with that? No. Nevertheless those who are able to weed out the “bad” to get to the heart of the story, She’s the Man is a fun summer-time popcorn flick.

Content: There is one scene that calls for a girl and a guy to “prove” their gender – he drops his pants and she lifts her shirt [all off-camera]. A big joke is made about Viola finding the time to shower; there is also a scene of her in the boy’s locker rooms [again, nothing is shown]. Skimpy clothing is revealing and there are a few kisses. Language is minimal.

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

15 comments

  1. This sounds cute :) Although with the theme {girl dresses up as boy} I guess there's bound to be some sort of "bad stuff"… still. I want to watch it ;)

  2. I thought this movie was going to be stupid and then my sisters and I watched and loved it. It was so funny and just fun to watch! We agree, Amanda Bynes is very funny. The nose bleed scene was a classic one.

  3. Hi Rissi! I loved the comedy "Twelfth Night", so this does sound interesting. But how do they get Amanda Bynes to look like a guy?!? Thanks for the great review! :-)

  4. Trinka – yes, the plot does have that potential but underneath it, this was/is a really cute and fun movie. There are a lot of laughs!

    SO glad you stopped in, girl! Don't be a stranger. =)

    Jessica – it is! Every time I watch this one, it makes me laugh. Some movies don't have that ability.

    Really glad you dropped by! =)

    Fashion Scan – you are welcome. =) I do follow you on Blog Lovin': Thanks for the invite, and for stopping in. =)

    Will – this movie is fun! I always get a laugh or two out of it, and usually enjoy its comedic nature because it is great – and Amanda is the leading reason why.

    Thanks for the follow!

    Gwendolyn – it isn't all that hard to still "see" Amanda in this role. She wears a short wig and tries to adopt a more masculine persona but since she is a girl and cannot change that… she often fails to pull it off. She manages to stay one step ahead of her brother's girlfriend and away from her mother when she is supposed to be Sebastian. So, yeah, it is a laugh fest. =D

    For a contemporary film, it does a decent job at adapting a Shakespeare story.

    Thanks for stopping in – I am glad you did!

  5. I remember seeing previews for this movie when it came out. It looked fun – and I happened to be reading a lot of Shakespeare at the time I saw it. Maybe I'll have to see it sometime. :)

  6. Lauren – this is a really cute film. The first time I saw it, my mother and I couldn't stop the giggles – we just loved it. I haven't watched it in years now because I saw it so many times that I think it sort of wore itself out… still, it's a fave. Give it a try sometime. =)

    AnnaKate – that is exactly what this one is. So cute. So fun – and great comedy. Enjoy!

  7. first time to come across yet i am hooked! <3 i love this movie! i watched it with my friends and we ended up faking to be a dude lol, amanda is awesome and so are you! :) followed your blog! x

    katrina

  8. I LOVE this movie, of course it helps that Channing Tatum is in it and I do have a weakness for him, but also Twelfth Night, the inspiration, is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays!

  9. Katrina – me, too! This movie is so much fun; great for a girl's night "out." =)

    Aw! Thank you! I am so glad you stopped in with a comment – do so often. =) THANKS for the follow, I really appreciate it. Off to check out your blog.

    Ruth – I know, right!? This is one of those "classic" comedies I doubt I'll ever get tired of. It is a fave. ;D (You and me both: I've followed Channing Tatum since this movie – he has a reputation of playing that "aw, shcuks," all-American guy, and with him, it "works.")

    I saw a film version of Twelfth Night and got some laughs from it but no matter how hard I try, the language is always a barrier when watching Shakespeare – and you can forget me even trying to read him! LOL! ;D

  10. I know where you're coming from…but Shakespeare is SO worth it. (Sorry couldn't resist!) ;) Have you ever seen the Kenneth Branagh film of Much Ado About Nothing? Very, very accessible IMO!

  11. My mom likes "Venice" which we also own one version of (the one with the better-known cast, I think) but in all honesty, I rarely watch it because that language is such a barrier that I cannot shake in my mind. Yes, I have seen Much Ado About Nothing and believe I even own that version. It was entertaining plus I loved the cast – and that little twist at the end was great. =) Overall, it was a fun film.

    I know there is a lot to be learned from his works but the "thees" and "thous" get me EVERY. TIME. LOL! ;D

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