What a Girl Wants

An American teen named Daphne Reynolds travels to Europe to meet the father she never knew and to see where her own roots might fit. She imagines discovering a bohemian, carefree man the way her mother Libby once spoke of him. Instead, she encounters Henry Dashwood, a polished politician whose life looks very different from Daphne's romantic notions. The situation grows more tangled when Henry becomes involved with a wealthy social climber who is determined to guard her status and who has a sharp, spiteful daughter. As Daphne tries to maneuver through this glittering but frictive world, she discovers a family portrait far more complicated than she expected, full of misread signals and personal missteps and a few whispered secrets.

Directed by Dennie Gordon, this 2003 Disney comedy stars Amanda Bynes opposite Colin Firth. It draws on an original story credited to William Douglas-Home, Elizabeth Chandler, and Jenny Bicks, with a brisk, pop style that suits the lead nicely throughout runtime.

With a production budget of 20 million, the film grossed about 50.7 million worldwide, giving it a solid return for a family friendly comedy and a clear example of Disney's mid range live action fare during the early 2000s era.

Daphne's cross cultural romance and the clash between American openness and British formality add a light touch to early 2000s teen cinema. The film contributed to the era's cheerful fashion and comedic set pieces, echoing in later light hearted romcoms and reminding audiences that being yourself can open many doors.

Critics treated it as a sunny family friendly romance that foregrounds belonging and family ties. The performances, especially Bynes and Firth, keep the mood buoyant while the script plays with social status and identity, offering a light but affectionate portrait of adolescence and adult relationships for viewers craving light romance.