MPAA Rated – PG-13
It’s 1:41 Long
A Review by:
– The Dude on the Right
| Chasing Liberty Movie Stats & Links |
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| Starring: | Mandy Moore, Matthew Goode, Jeremy Piven, Annabella Sciorra, Mark Harmon |
| MPAA Rated: | PG-13 |
| Released By: | Warner Bros. |
| Release Date: | 2004 |
| Kiddie Movie: | It’s mostly middle to late teen content. |
| Date Movie: | It’s a dudette flick, but he might like watching Mandy. |
| Gratuitous Sex: | Mandy gets naked, but we don’t see it. |
| Gratuitous Violence: | Nah. |
| Action: | There’s some chase scenes. |
| Laughs: | Quite a few, actually. |
| Memorable Scene: | When our heroes are in Venice it’s pretty fun. |
| Memorable Quote: | Nothing stands out. |
| Directed By: | Andy Cadiff |
Maybe I’m just older and not hip with the times, and granted she’s of age, but when, if ever, would a daughter complain to her father than no one’s ever going to be able to get to third base with her? As a movie geared for the teen crowd, that scene in “Chasing Liberty” I just found a little odd. The rest of the movie, although farfetched, did have its cute moments and is what it is. Let’s go…
Mandy Moore plays Anna Foster. Like many late teen girls, she’s searching for her individuality. There’s only one problem: She’s the President of the United States’ daughter. Out on a date for her is not a simple task as a huge contingent of Secret Service personnel follows her wherever she goes. This comes to a head in the films opening scene, resulting in her confronting her father (played very well by Mark Harmon) about her lack of sex life. She’s pissed, her dad understands, and they agree that when they visit Prague, only two Secret Service people will be assigned to her when she goes to an opera with the daughter of the French Ambassador’s daughter, Gabrielle (Beatrice Rosen). When the opera turns out to be a rock concert, the Pres sends out the army of agents to protect his little girl. She’s at the club, spots the various agents, and Gabrielle hatches a plan so she can get away. Running out of the club, she spots a dude on a motor scooter, asks him to help her get away, and she’s off and running. The dude, it turns out is Ben Calder (Matthew Goode), and he’s got a secret.
Well, she doesn’t tell him who she really is, he doesn’t tell her who he really is, and now their off traipsing the European countryside and Anna wants to make her way to Berlin’s Love Festival, or as her dad calls it, an orgy. Oh yea, dad is totally against her going to the festival, and, oh yea, Anna and Ben fall in love, all the while staying one step ahead of the two agents assigned to watch them, Weiss (Jeremy Piven) and Morales (Annabella Sciorra).
So, “Chasing Liberty” is generic teen dudette fair, with a nice love story and a hunky guy. It does touch on some more adult issues, like who knew Anna was a virgin, and the issue of trying to find yourself living under the way to watchful eyes of your parents. Mandy Moore does a good job of taking you through the emotions of any older teen being a little rebellious, falling in love, and having her heart broken, and Matthew Goode does well in his predicament keeping his secret from Anna yet still, obviously, falling in love.
For the teen girls, they’ll probably enjoy the movie, though then demand a few concessions from their parents. Hey, if it’s good enough for the President’s daughter, going to the Love Festival should be good enough for them, too. Just remind your daughter that Anna is eighteen years old. It’s 3 stars out of 5 for “Chasing Liberty.”
That’s it for this one! I’m The Dude on the Right!! L8R!!!