MOVIE REVIEW

Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!  (2004)

Starring: Kate Bosworth, Topher Grace, Josh Duhamel
Directors: Robert Luketic

Rating: PG-13

Studio: DreamWorks SKG

Release Date: 01.23.04

Review Posted: 01.23.04

Spoilers: Minor

By Rachel Sexton

Topher Grace Shines in Romantic Role

Who hasn’t fantasized about meeting their favorite movie star and becoming the object of their affection? As unrealistic as this situation may seem, it is ripe for a Hollywood treatment and it gets one in ”Win an Date with Tad Hamilton!”. This new film is funny and romantic, but a couple of noticeable flaws keep it from being truly exceptional.

“Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!” is the name of the contest small-town girl Rosalee Futch (Kate Bosworth) enters and wins to meet bad boy actor Tad (Josh Duhamel). They hit it off and, as Tad wants to improve himself for Rosalee, he moves to her small town. This forces Rosalee’s oldest friend Pete (Topher Grace) to admit how he feels about her. With two men in love with her, what will Rosalee do?

The problems here aren’t so much with the comedy or romance, there are greatly entertaining moments of each. For instance, the scene where Pete “teaches” Tad farm chores elicits belly laughs, as does the way Rosalee’s other friend Cathy (Ginnifer Goodwin) relates to Tad. (Talk about obsessive!) Romance comes when each man tells Rosalee he loves her and in the way Pete describes Rosalee’s “six smiles.” Also nice is a briefly poignant moment between Pete and Rosalee’s dad (Gary Cole).

The premise does stretch credulity, though, and the ending is obvious. The fact that Pete has never spoken up before is a bit of a leap, too. But the film is successful, I think, at presenting how each man really does care for Rosalee. Seeing both Nathan Lane and Sean Hayes in the movie as Tad’s managers (both named Richard Levy) was a treat, as both are expert comedians. The Hollywood touches could have been improved, however.

“Legally Blonde” director Robert Luketic doesn’t do anything flashy or out of the ordinary behind the camera, but the soundtrack is pretty catchy. Good use is made of Barry White, Pete enjoying to lip sync along with the music. Catherine Adair’s (“BASEketball”) costuming is mostly successful as well.

The biggest drawback to this film is the casing of Kate Bosworth. Her acting isn’t bad (though it’s not great), but she’s clearly miscast. Rosalee is supposed to be a small-town girl but everything about Kate, from her perfect Barbie Doll looks to the clothes she wears, screams California Girl. Not a wise choice.

Of the support, Lane and Hayes are standouts, and Goodwin is hilarious. Duhamel is an appealing presence and manages to convince as both spoiled star and as a man who wants to change but hasn’t quite gotten there. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of him. The real star of the film, though, is Topher Grace. His likeable Eric on TV's “That ‘70s Show” gets a slightly more intense update here and he is excellent.

Despite a slight narrative and a casting flaw, “Win a Date With Tad Hamilton!” is an enjoyable romantic comedy with genuine, laugh-out-loud moments. The many female audience members will, I’m sure, be able to vicariously experience Rosalee’s situation with smiles on their faces. I just hope they all have someone who knows which number smile that is. 

Rating:  êêê  (out of 5)

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