Movie #773 ........................."First Daughter"

Movie #773 "First Daughter" --- looking for a film suitable to be watched by a teen (probably female?) This is a solid choice. I just wanted to see Forest Whitaker's direction, and I found it to be very good. The romantic comedy part we've seen before, so don't be watching this for how different the conflict is, because it isn't --- we've all seen the story before, but it is the way it is handled. I liked the father/daughter conflicting discussions and bonding; I liked the message about the paparazzi and their treatment to pouts and in this case, his daughter, "lucky charm." The story is well grounded, and I felt I was being taught what our first families have to go through to live in the white house --- and what price is paid by the family -------- we generally think it is all "perfect," but it isn't, by any means. The last comment I want to make is how good Katie Holmes is in this small film --- I like her in "Pieces of April" but I was beginning to think that was a fluke, because we saw her on stage in "All my Sons" and she wasn't good. Then this! I've decided she is perfect for a film camera, with those big brown puppy dog eyes that do their trick in closeups. This is a good vehicle for her, and like I said, it's a charming teen romantic comedy, and those are few and far between. First Daughter 2004 PG 105 minutes I gave it 4 out of 5 stars Samantha Mackenzie (Katie Holmes), the 18-year-old daughter of the president of the United States (Michael Keaton), insists that she be allowed to attend college like a normal kid . But when your dad's the leader of the free world, "normal" is relative. It starts well when Samantha befriends her roommate (Amerie Rogers) and falls for her handsome residence hall assistant, James (Marc Blucas). But James has a secret that could change everything. Cast:Katie Holmes, Marc Blucas, Amerie Rogers, Michael Keaton, Margaret Colin, Lela Rochon, Michael Milhoan, Dwayne Adway, Hollis Hill, Ken Moreno Genre:Romantic Comedies, Teen Comedies, Comedy