The sort of film which makes the recent What A Girl Wants look like Citizen Kane, The Lizzie Maguire Movie is one of those banal teenage fests, made with the attentions of a very specific audience in mind. Anyone above or below that age - somewhere around 12 to 14 year-old females - who finds themselves watching this movie (presumably under the pain of death) has no option other than gritting their teeth and toughing it out.
The first big screen spin off of the popular Disney Channel TV show, The Lizzy Maguire Movie sees Hilary Duff playing the eponymous title character. In touch with her inner Britney Spears, Hilary heads off on a Roman holiday with her best pal, the puppy-like Gordo (Lamberg), and the rest of her high school class. One convenient narrative convenience after another sees the Lizmeister being happily romanced by 17 year-old Italian pop star Paolo (Yani Gellman). Blissfully for the sake of the story, Lizzy bears an uncanny resemblance to Paolo's estranged singing partner, a dark-haired girl named Isabella (also played by Ms. Duff). Which, as you may expect, can lead to all sorts of teenage nonsense.
Where to begin? A film which has no illusions towards any form of artistry beyond providing its leading lady an opportunity to influence some more young minds, The Lizzie Maguire Movie crackles with as much ingenuity as an extended pop video. Subscribing to the resolutely teenage fantasises of becoming a pop star and having, 'like, really awesomely cute boys chase you around Rome', The Lizzie Maguire is best avoided. Trust me.
