Buscando a Amanda

I've been watching movies all week - actually 2 weeks straight now and I've been doing so many reviews I don't know what to write anymore.

It's a watchable film, good performances from all and overall a good script.

To me, it's the little bit players that make up this movie. Not because the leads aren't good - they are good.

But it's the smaller roles on this that make up this movie.

All the story turns fill in nice and the dialog is a little bit harsh, but nothing that a grade 6 hasn't heard before.

I do not recommend it for family viewing though - unless your kids are hookers themselves.

Harried sitcom writer Taylor Mendon is a recovering addict and compulsive gambler who heads to Las Vegas to rescue his ditzy twenty-year-old niece from a career in prostitution and to get her to enroll in rehab. The problem is that Amanda (Brittany Snow) is more than happy with the choices she's made and finds it rather hypocritical and presumptuous of her uncle of all people to be on his high horse regarding how she's living her life.

Matthew Broderick has always excelled at playing the well-meaning, bumbling nebbish, but here, playing a well-meaning, bumbling nebbish who also happens to have alcohol and drug-dependency problems, he defies credibility. Moreover, writer/director Peter Tolan never quite strikes that proper balance between the lighthearted and the serious that he's so earnestly striving for (and which he often achieves on "Rescue Me").

That being said, "Finding Amanda" does have a nice feel for its settings, a partially unexpected resolution, and enough goodwill to almost make it an enjoyable experience.

This film is about a troubled middle aged man with addiction problems trying to rescue his niece from prostitution in Las Vegas.

Taylor is hopelessly addicted to gambling, hoping one day he will win it big. Amanda earns money by prostitution in Las Vegas, and is successful as she manages to make money to buy a house and a car at the tender age of 20. It is obvious that Taylor and Amanda are characters with things in common. They live in their own fantasy world, thinking that someday it will magically transform into utopia.

Given the subject matter, I find it surprising that "Finding Amanda" is marketed as a comedy. There are funny moments, but it is more a emotional drama about the two waking up from their dreamland. Taylor's addiction is convincingly portrayed by the adorable Matthew Broderick. Amanda is also a likable character, but she is far too happy and fluffy to be a person with a turbulent background. Greg, on the other hand, is convincingly despicable and disgusting.

"Finding Amanda" is slow at times, but it gives viewers ample time to digest what goes on with the characters. It provokes people to look into their lives, and maybe we can find a part of us that is hypocritical like Taylor is. This film is for people who like serious and emotional films, and it will not appeal to romantic comedy fans.

This is a fun movie to watch if you're a Mathew Broderick fan. There are lots of great lines, especially from Mathew's character.

It also takes a light hearted look at addiction of many varieties. While Matthew's character is likeable enough, he's got some serious problems that he won't really accept responsibility for, but learns the hard way. The movie is set mostly in Las Vegas, and has a lot of casino action, fun hookers, crazy characters and a lot of other fun stuff. Lots of bad language so you probably don't want to watch with the kids. If you like Matthew Broderick, and Las Vegas, you ill like this movie. Thank you.

I enjoyed this movie and think that it should find an audience in theaters. This movie is described as a comedy and while it is funny, it is also kind of sad at times. I don't understand the other review that totally trashes it. It's not the greatest movie but certainly above average in most areas.

There are some great comedic moments primarily because of Matthew Broderick's expressions, timing and his overall lovable loser persona. Brittany Snow gives a strong performance as well. The supporting cast also gives very good performances. I found some of the more serious moments very touching. The writing is a bit off beat and at times, misplaced, but the actors do a wonderful job trying to compensate for that. There is also great chemistry between Matthew and Brittany, reminded me a lot of Election with Matthew and Reese Witherspoon. Go see it!!!