SYDNEY WHITE — ** 1/2 — Amanda Bynes, Sara Paxton, Matt Long; rated PG-13 (vulgarity, violence, profanity, drugs)
"Sydney White" is the result of sprinkling equal parts "Legally Blonde" and "Revenge of the Nerds" into the oft-told "Snow White" fairy tale.
That might sound a little cutesy and derivative, but "Sydney White" is actually one of the better Amanda Bynes vehicles. Yes, it is silly, and there's more sexually suggestive humor than you might prefer. But there's also some charm to it all.
And much of that can be attributed to Bynes, who's getting more confident as a movie performer, at least judging by "Hairspray" and this film.
Bynes stars as the title character, the hard-working and somewhat goofy daughter of a widowed plumber (John Schneider). Having recently entered college, she's pledging the same sorority as her late mother.
However, the sorority's snooty president, Rachel Witchburn ("Aquamarine's" Sara Paxton), appears to have it in for Sydney and quickly gives her the boot, banishing her to "The Vortex," a rundown, student-housing building that currently hosts seven nerdy outcasts, including the highly allergic Lenny (Jack Carpenter) and the dim-witted George (Arnie Pantoja).
She immediately befriends these "Seven Dorks," with whom she hopes to exact revenge on the whole Greek system. And she receives some surprising support from Rachel's ex-boyfriend, nice-guy fraternity president Tyler Prince (Matt Long, from TV's "Jack & Bobby").
Chad Creasey's script is continually referencing "Snow White," and there's even an awful but amusing pun about the Brothers Grimm, who are credited as its authors. And director Joe Nussbaum ("Sleepover") never lets the whole thing take itself too seriously.
Obviously, this is directed to a very specific movie audience, which will no doubt be pleased to receive it. But it's surprisingly tolerable for a more general audience as well.
"Sydney White" is rated PG-13 for some sexually suggestive humor (slang and other references), comic violence (mostly pratfalls, as well as video-game violence), scattered profanity, and drug content (over-the-counter drugs and prescription medicines). Running time: 105 minutes.
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