Follow @screenit

"SHE'S THE MAN" (2006) (Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum) (PG-13) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons None Minor Heavy *Minor None Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Heavy None None Mild Moderate Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Heavy None Mild Moderate Moderate QUICK TAKE: Comedy: To prove she's just as good as the boys at playing soccer, a high school student poses as her brother at his prep school, resulting in a series of complicated romantic longings among a number of students. PLOT: Viola Hastings (AMANDA BYNES) is a star player on the girls' soccer team at Cornwall Academy. When that sports program is cut, however, the boys soccer coach won't let her play on his team, and her boyfriend -- the captain of the team -- Justin (ROBERT HOFFMAN) won't attest to her skills. Since she doesn't want to be a debutante like her mother Daphne (JULIE HAGERTY) desires, Viola needs a plan, and it arrives in the form of her twin brother Sebastian (JAMES KIRK). With him wanting Viola to cover his absence as he travels to play his music in London, Viola comes up with an idea. With the aide of makeup artist Paul (JONATHAN SADOWSKI), Viola transforms herself into Sebastian and then heads off for Illyria Prep where her brother was set to attend before his impromptu departure. While posing as him, she'll try out for the soccer team led by Coach Dinklage (VINNIE JONES). But first, she must fool her roommate Duke (CHANNING TATUM) and his fellow soccer buddies, including Andrew (CLIFTON MURRAY) and Toby (BRANDON JAY McLAREN), that he's really a guy. "His" odd demeanor initially confuses and repels them, but a bit of romantic subterfuge quickly convinces them that he's a true ladies man and it's not long before the lovely Olivia (LAURA RAMSEY) is attracted to "Sebastian." The problem, however, is that Duke likes Olivia, and thus Viola tries to get her to like him. That is, until Viola starts to fall for Duke, all while having to deal with Sebastian's pushy girlfriend Monique (ALEX BRECKENRIDGE), geeky nerd Eunice (EMILY PERKINS) who falls for Viola's Sebastian, and both Headmaster Horatio Gold (DAVID CROSS) and preppy snitch Malcolm (JAMES SNYDER) who separately and then collectively question "Sebastian's" gender. As she tries to juggle all of the romantic longings, and maintain her ruse as her brother, Viola attempts to make the squad and then compete against the Cornwall team to prove her abilities on the field. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? It's a good bet that some girls will be interested in it. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13 For some sexual material. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: AMANDA BYNES plays a soccer player who's so upset when her team program is cut and she's not allowed to play on the boys' team that she impersonates her twin brother at another school to prove her athletic worth. Accordingly, she dresses and tries to act like a stereotypical boy (and later a teenage version of a ladies man), all while juggling the various romantic relationships and longings that develop from her ruse. She uses a little profanity, ends up having to flash her chest to everyone to prove she's a girl and finds herself falling for Duke. CHANNING TATUM plays a soccer player who initially thinks Sebastian (really Viola) is weird, but then befriends "him" when the latter tries to hook him up with Olivia. He then finds himself torn between desiring her and Viola (as a girl). LAURA RAMSEY plays a pretty girl who various boys have their sights set on, but she has hers on Sebastian (not realizing it's Viola). ROBERT HOFFMAN plays Viola's boyfriend and soccer captain who turns into a jerk and has it out for Duke. ALEX BRECKENRIDGE plays Sebastian's pushy and mean girlfriend who has it out for Viola and eventually picks a fight with her and Olivia. JAMES KIRK plays Viola's brother who ditches school for a few weeks (without telling his parents) so that he can go to London to play his music. When he eventually returns, he has to drop his pants in front of everyone to prove he's a boy. CLIFTON MURRAY and BRANDON JAY McLAREN play Duke's friends and fellow soccer players who are in awe of Sebastian (unaware that it's Viola) and "his" ladies man ways. VINNIE JONES plays the soccer coach who's the one who eventually lets Viola play on his team (as a girl) after not recognizing Sebastian as such before that. DAVID CROSS plays the headmaster who seems involved in his students but is oblivious to who they really are. JULIE HAGERTY plays Viola's mom who's only interested in her daughter being a debutante. EMILY PERKINS plays a geeky girl with a possible, hidden wild side who likes Sebastian (unaware that it's Viola). JAMES SNYDER plays a preppy student who likes Olivia and then sets out to prove that Sebastian is really a girl. JONATHAN SADOWSKI plays the makeup artist who helps transform Viola into her brother. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: Here's a brief summary of the content found in this PG-rated comedy. Profanity consists of a possible "s" word, while other expletives and colorful phrases are uttered. Sexually related dialogue and some song lyrics are present, while various teens are seen in revealing attire. Off-screen nudity (male genitals twice, female bare breasts once) occurs (and is seen by others, but not the camera), as does some sexually related behavior (clothed) and brief kissing. Along with the above flashing of nudity, other imitative behavior is present, as are various bad attitudes. There's some brief fighting (both boys and girls, separately and sometimes played lightly and/or as slapstick), while physical contact occurs on the soccer field. A mother and father are divorced, but seem to be getting back together at the end of the film. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. For those prone to visually induced motion sickness, there's some camera movement late in the film where it represents the POV of a player moving down a soccer field during a game. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE None. BLOOD/GORE Being coached how to be like a guy, Viola is told to "hock a loogie," and so she does, spitting out some spit. When the guys spot some tampons in Viola's stuff (as Sebastian), she tells them they're for nosebleeds and then proceeds to unwrap one and stuff it up her nostril to demonstrate the technique. Later, and after having a bloody nose (no blood is seen), Duke has one up his nose. We briefly see a partial view of a partially dissected animal in a tray in silence class (the view causes Viola as Sebastian to faint). DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE When the girls' soccer program is cut and Viola announces she wants to play on the boys' team, the male head coach says girls can't do that as they're not as athletic, etc. (excusing himself by saying those are the facts talking, and not him). Justin (Viola's boyfriend) then doesn't back her up (because he's in front of the other guys) despite earlier telling her in private that she's as good as half the guys on the team. Justin and Duke have it out for each other throughout the film, resulting in two physical encounters between them. Monique doesn't like Viola throughout the film, and says in disgust that Viola and her brother share the same look (when viewed from behind), adding that's due to Viola's lack of curves. To cover for him going off to London for two weeks to play his music, Sebastian asks Viola to call the school and act like their mom (to give an excuse for his absence). Instead, Viola decides to pose as Sebastian at that school (so that she can prove she can play soccer), thus misleading everyone (and she lies to her mom that she's going to be staying with her dad for those two weeks). Duke, Andrew and Toby make fun of and/or are wary of Viola (as Sebastian) until the latter sets up some fake social encounters with various girls to make "Sebastian" look like a real ladies man. Coach Dinklage refers to Viola (thinking she's a guy) as "Nancy boy," later calls the team of boys "ladies," and even later tells them that they're a bunch of girls. Viola tries to snoop through the headmaster's files to look for her brother's record, and is nearly caught by the headmaster when he walks in. When one of the guys tries to come on to Monique, she tells him, "Girls with asses like mine don't talk to boys with faces like yours." FRIGHTENING SCENES Duke and Viola (as Sebastian) react to Malcolm's pet tarantula crawling across their floor and partially on Viola's foot (both jump onto a bed and scream, etc. -- all played for comedy, but those afraid of spiders might not see it that way). GUNS/WEAPONS None. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: An incomplete "You're so full of..." "1-800 Be-atch," "She's hot," "It's a guy thing," "Hock a loogie," "Inside every girl there's a boy" (not intended sexually), "I'm a bad ass hunk of dude," "Twiglet," "Freak," "Nancy boy," "Tool," "Total geek," "Chick(s)," "Get your butt out there," "Huge geek loser," "My life sucks," "Sup," "I'd tap that" (sexual), "Brain fart," "Girls with asses like mine don't talk to boys with faces like yours," "I see you for what you really are which is ug-ly," "That's lame," "Kind of freaks me out," "You the man," "Nuts" (crazy), "You're hot," "My psycho ex," "You're a jerk," "What the hell /is this/is going on/am I doing here?" "Doofus," "Kiss the crap out of her," "I'll kick your ass," "You idiot," "My bad," "Screw you guys," "Dude," "Ladies" (said to guys), "Nice move, moron," an incomplete "What the..." "Shut up," what sounded like "Let's go kick some ass" and "You suck." The film could inspire boys and/or girls to try to imitate the opposite sex. Being coached how to be like a guy, Viola is told to "hock a loogie," and so she does, spitting out some spit. When the guys spot some tampons in Viola's stuff (as Sebastian), she tells them they're for nosebleeds and then proceeds to unwrap one and stuff it up her nostril to demonstrate the technique. Later, and after having a bloody nose (no blood is seen), Duke has one up his nose. Duke purposefully flicks his towel to whack Malcolm on the back of his head in passing (played for laughs). Some of the older students throw water on new students in their bed and then fling what looks like oatmeal on them in the dark (part of a hazing ritual). They then order them (including Viola as Sebastian) to strip, but she panics and pulls the fire alarm, setting off the sprinklers and sending everyone running. A teen wears a midriff revealing top. When a guy sees Olivia nod to Viola (as Sebastian), he says about Olivia, "She gives good nod." Still in character, Viola eats like a guy (chewing with her mouth open, etc.) at a debutante luncheon. Various soccer players wear face paint for a game. A few players do back flips on the soccer field. When no one believes he's really a guy, Sebastian drops his pants to prove he is (we don't see anything, but everyone else does). Later, Viola tries to explain who she is during a game, but when nobody believes her, she lifts her shirt and flashes her chest (we don't know if it's bare or not -- but the implication is that it is) to everyone on the field and in the stadium (they see it all, but we don't see anything explicit). JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) None. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) There's a song with lyrics that include "Hey sexy lady" and something about her body, etc. A song had lyrics that sounded like "spend the night with you," along with others that we couldn't hear and/or understand. PROFANITY At least 1 possible "s" word, 1 slang term for sex ("tap"), 1 slang term for male genitals ("Willis" or "Willie"), 4 hells, 3 asses (and another possible one), 2 craps, 1 incomplete S.O.B., 4 uses each of "God" and "Oh my God" and 1 use each of "G-damn," "For the love of God," "Christ" and "Jesus." SEX/NUDITY During the opening credits, we see various shots of teenage girls in full bikinis or bikini tops (that show cleavage), as well as shirtless guys playing soccer or watching others doing that. That includes Viola in cut-off shorts and a bikini top that shows cleavage. Viola and Justin briefly kiss. Monique shows cleavage throughout the film in various outfits. Sebastian tells Viola that Monique is "hot" and then adds, "It's a guy thing." Viola and a friend show some cleavage. Trying to motivate Viola, Paul tells her, "Inside every girl there's a boy." He then realizes that came out sounding wrong. We see Duke when he's shirtless. We see various shirtless teenage boys in soccer practice. We see several male players in just towels in the locker room and Viola (as Sebastian) is worried about what she'll do when it's time to shower, but she's called away before she has to do so. Viola (as Sebastian) accidentally runs into Olivia in the hallway, knocking her down. The headmaster then comes out and knowingly smiles, commenting on "sexual tension," but then tells them to keep it clean, adding, "Abstinence is the best way to not..." but he can't complete the thought in front of them. As the camera shows the clothed butts of Olivia and another girl (representing the guys' point of view), Viola (acting like Sebastian) says, "Check out the booty on that blondie." There's a song with lyrics that include "Hey sexy lady" and something about her body, etc. To make Viola (as Sebastian) look like a ladies man, Paul and various women conspire with Viola to put on a demonstration in front of Duke and the guys in a restaurant. Accordingly, Viola grabs one girl's clothed butt, a girl tells Viola that she's been thinking about him, especially at night, and Viola checks out a teen as she walks away, saying, "I'd tap that." Another teen says she wasn't enough woman for him and Viola pats her clothed butt. When one of the guys tries to come on to Monique, she tells him, "Girls with asses like mine don't talk to boys with faces like yours." When a guy sees Olivia nod to Viola (as Sebastian), he says about Olivia, "She gives good nod." We see guys in towels in the locker room, and one drops his, thus being fully nude in front of Viola (as Sebastian). We don't see anything, but she looks in befuddled horror at his crotch area. Olivia complains about the dumb jocks who want "to hook up with me." A song had lyrics that sounded like "spend the night with you," along with others that we couldn't hear and/or understand. Thinking he's going to get to kiss Olivia at a carnival kissing booth, Duke instead gets Viola. Nevertheless, the two kiss and then do so again, passionately, prompting a younger boy to complain and tell them there's a hotel across the street. Viola pulls popcorn out of her cleavage after she, Justin and Duke smash into a portable popcorn machine. Viola (as Sebastian) asks Duke (about Olivia and herself as a girl) which he'd rather see naked. Duke then wonders why Viola (as Sebastian) always talks like that, adding that relationships should be more than just the physical stuff. Trying to make Viola (as Sebastian) jealous of her, Olivia acts somewhat sultry while talking to Duke in the weight room. Trying to make Viola (as Sebastian) jealous, Olivia nuzzles on Duke who then does the same back to her (but he doesn't realize what's really occurring). Olivia passionately kisses the real Sebastian (thinking it's Viola's version of him -- but not thinking it's a girl). Some cheerleaders at a soccer match wear some rather skimpy attire and do various dancing moves, etc. during their cheers. The headmaster interrupts the game, and using info from Monique and Malcolm, announces to the players and spectators that the real Sebastian is really a girl. Sebastian says he's a boy and finally drops his pants to prove it. Everyone else there sees him that way (we don't), with Eunice looking pleased and one of Viola's friends stating -- after looking with binoculars for a closer view - that Paul did good work (thinking it's Viola with a fake penis). Viola tries to explain who she is during a game, but when nobody believes her, she lifts her shirt and flashes her chest (we don't know if it's bare or not -- but the implication is that it is) to everyone on the field and in the stadium (they see it all, but we don't see anything explicit). A person uses the term "Willis" (or "Willie") and something like "Doobled berries" for penis and testicles. Eunice tells Toby (what sounded like), "I know tricks" and the two then kiss and go down out of the camera shot (clothed). Viola and Duke briefly but passionately kiss. Viola shows some cleavage in a dress. SMOKING None. TENSE FAMILY SCENES Viola's mom wants Viola to be a debutante and then tells her daughter (after the latter says that she doesn't want to), "Sometimes I think you should be your brother." We see that Viola and Sebastian's parents are divorced (although they somewhat seem to get back together -- at least tentatively -- by the end of the film). TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT The differences between boys and girls, and how well one could imitate the other. Girls playing on boys' sports teams. Having divorced parents. Sebastian's statement that taking chances means breaking the rules sometimes. Paul is somewhat portrayed as gay or at least effeminate (he's the guy who makes up Viola to look like a guy). Coach Dinklage refers to Viola (thinking she's a guy) as "Nancy boy," later calls the team of boys "ladies," and even later tells them that they're a bunch of girls. VIOLENCE Viola (as Sebastian) accidentally runs into Olivia in the hallway, knocking her down. Duke purposefully flicks his towel to whack Malcolm on the back of his head in passing (played for laughs). During Viola's soccer dream, one player elbows another in the face while jumping for a header, while there's some other physical contact. During this, Viola ends up falling hard to the ground (but is okay). A soccer ball hits Viola (as Sebastian) in the crotch, and after realizing how she's supposed to react as a guy, she bends over in faked pain. Viola slaps Justin on the face. Justin punches Duke (for kissing Viola in a kissing booth) and the two then struggle, with Viola joining the fray by jumping on Justin's back. All three then crash into a popcorn cart and smash it to the ground (played lightly). A soccer ball accidentally hits Malcolm on the head (he's taking covert photos of Duke and Viola as Sebastian), knocking him backwards. Monique confronts Olivia and Viola in the ladies room, eventually punching Olivia. A melee then breaks out, including but not limited to Monique pushing Viola backwards to a chair or something similar before going back after Olivia, with Viola throwing a shoe at Monique and hitting her. Viola then jumps on Monique's back and hits on her, with Monique driving Viola back into a stall door/wall, knocking her off. More struggling and some tripping (with hard falls to the bathroom floor) follow that (all played for slapstick). There's some physical contact in a soccer game, including a player knocking Viola to the ground quite hard (but she's okay). During a game, Duke pushes Justin and the two then scuffle, as do other members from both teams. Coach Dinklage then goes out to break it up, yanking down one of his players backwards by his shirt. Coach Dinklage repeatedly jabs his finger hard onto another coach's chest (when the latter says Viola can't play in the boys' game). Reviewed March 14, 2006 / Posted March 17, 2006

Other new and recent reviews include:

Privacy Statement and Terms of Use and Disclaimer
By entering this site you acknowledge to having read and agreed to the above conditions.

All Rights Reserved,
©1996-2016 Screen It, Inc.