Sydney White Movie Review

Construction sites are home away from home for tomboy Sydney White, the fresh-faced college student at the heart of the story. Sydney was raised by her construction foreman dad after her mom passed away and so she's grown up hanging out with burly carpenters, a far cry from spoiled sorority girls who wouldn't know a hammer from a screwdriver. Sydney has no clue what she's in for when she arrives at college ready to pledge the same sorority her deceased mom belonged to.

Unaccustomed to being around the high-maintenance bimbos who run Greek Row, Sydney shortly finds herself on the outs with everyone who's in. But she finds kindred spirits in a group of seven guys who live at a soon-to-be destroyed house on campus. Determined to prove they have just as much right to live on campus as those with chiseled abs and perfect hair, Sydney rallies the 'dorks' to stand up for themselves.

To Sum It Up

Anyone who doubted Amanda Bynes can carry a movie needs look no further than this entertaining bit of comedy. Bynes is growing up in front of our eyes, and her talent as a comedic actress has expanded by leaps and bounds. Surrounded by a well cast group of 'dorks' and sorority witches (led by Sara Paxton), as well as the requisite hottie (played by Matt Long), Bynes' solid performance as the nerdy girl who gets the guy makes this modern day take on Snow White a whole lot of fun.

Sydney White is clever with an incredible amount of references to the fairy tale worked into the story (some subtle, some not so subtle). Not just for Bynes fans or teen girls, Sydney White is reminiscent of the better John Hughes comedies (Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles) of the 1980s. It has the same heart and positive message of those classic coming of age comedies. It also has a lot more laughs than you'd expect of an updated live-action fairy tale.

GRADE: B+