Finding Amanda (2008)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Peter Tolan

Writer (WGA):

Peter Tolan (written by)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

When it comes to screwing up their lives, some people don't know when to cry uncle.

Plot:

A television producer with a penchant for drinking and gambling is sent to Las Vegas to convince his troubled niece to enter rehab.

Plot Keywords:

Rehab | Gambling | Television Producer | Niece | Prostitution

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Matthew Broderick	...	Taylor Mendon
Brittany Snow	...	Amanda
Maura Tierney	...	Lorraine Mendon
Peter Facinelli	...	Greg
Steve Coogan	...	Michael Henry
Ed Begley Jr.	...	Himself
Bill Fagerbakke	...	Larry
Patrick Fischler	...	Kevin - TV Executive
Peggy Scott	...	Sharon the Maid
Jennifer Hall	...	Wendy the Cage Girl
Daniel Roebuck	...	Link
Lester Speight	...	BV (as Lester Rasta Speight)
J.P. Manoux	...	Tony Clark
Jennifer Rau	...	Whisper
Allan Wasserman	...	Dr. Chase

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content including graphic dialogue, pervasive language, drug content and brief nudity.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Australia:MA | New Zealand:R16

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Company:

Capacity Pictures

Movie Connections:

References Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Soundtrack:

Sign says

Great character development

This film is about a troubled middle aged man with addiction problems trying to rescue his niece from prostitution in Las Vegas.

Taylor is hopelessly addicted to gambling, hoping one day he will win it big. Amanda earns money by prostitution in Las Vegas, and is successful as she manages to make money to buy a house and a car at the tender age of 20. It is obvious that Taylor and Amanda are characters with things in common. They live in their own fantasy world, thinking that someday it will magically transform into utopia.

Given the subject matter, I find it surprising that "Finding Amanda" is marketed as a comedy. There are funny moments, but it is more a emotional drama about the two waking up from their dreamland. Taylor's addiction is convincingly portrayed by the adorable Matthew Broderick. Amanda is also a likable character, but she is far too happy and fluffy to be a person with a turbulent background. Greg, on the other hand, is convincingly despicable and disgusting.

"Finding Amanda" is slow at times, but it gives viewers ample time to digest what goes on with the characters. It provokes people to look into their lives, and maybe we can find a part of us that is hypocritical like Taylor is. This film is for people who like serious and emotional films, and it will not appeal to romantic comedy fans.