What a Girl Wants

What a Girl Wants is currently streaming in the UK on Amazon Prime Video, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. 1,728 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Amanda Bynes's performance alone is worth the time investment. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Amazon Prime Video.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, What a Girl Wants earns its spot. What a Girl Wants gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. American Daphne Reynolds heads to Europe in search of the father she's never met. But instead of finding a British version of her boho mother, she learns the love of her mom's life is an uptight politician. The only problem now is that her long-lost father is engaged to a fiercely territorial social climber with a daughter who makes Daphne's life miserable. Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2003. The timing in What a Girl Wants is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

What a Girl Wants is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Amanda Bynes sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.