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Sydney White’s (Amanda Bynes) orientation to the Southern Atlantic University includes initiation rites to a prestigious sorority where her late mother used to belong. The most exalted sister and concurrently student council president is the spoiled, rich coed, Rachel Witchburn (Sara Paxton). Threatened by Sydney’s rising popularity and jealous of the special attention given to her by Tyler Prince (Matt Long), Rachel publicly humiliates Sydney by disapproving her application to the sisterhood and adds fabricated allegations of unworthiness, the fact that Sydney is only a plumber’s daughter. She leaves the sorority house and takes refuge in an old building at Greek Row where seven dorks (social outcasts) reside. Sydney becomes Snow White to the seven characters: Terrance (Jeremy Howard) – Doc, Gurkin (Danny Strong) – Grumpy, Spanky (Sam Levine) – Spanky, Jeremy (Adam Hendershott) – Bashful, Lenny (Jack Carpenter) – Sneezy, Embele (Dante Bonner) – Sleepy, and George (Arnie Pantoja) – Dopey. When the group is told that they have to vacate the condemned building as it would be demolished soon, Sydney realizes the need for empowerment. Without experience and resources, she ran for Student Council President against Rachel Witchburn.
The title of the film obviously prepares the viewers for a modern retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs complete with the wicked queen, prince charming, Snow White and the Seven Dorks, and instead of a poisoned apple, an apple virus for Sydney’s computer. There are also integrated themes of the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty stories to convince us that “life is a fairy tale.” Amanda Bynes’ expressive eyes and wholesome personality is a perfect choice for the Snow White “Sydney” character. The campus politics becomes a laboratory of issues and test case of theories discussed in a political science class. This is a feel good film which will have a particular appeal to young people.
With imagination, courage, and determination, nothing is impossible. What is endearing is the father’s (John Schneider) love and protectiveness for his daughter who must have contributed to Sydney’s self-confidence and leadership. One learns from the film that nothing worthwhile is achieved without the encouragement and support of people around us. People power can overcome the apparent invincibility of the rich and the powerful. But our young ones should be made aware of culture differences where westerns, as in this film, could openly express their need for sex or deprivation of it. One good lesson that the film teaches is the need for a prudent choice of our companions and friends; the wrong choices of sisterhood or brotherhood could bring one to disaster and the right ones could make life happy and meaningful for us.
(Date Reviewed: 11 January 2008)
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