WIN A DATE WITH TAD HAMILTON

US, 2004, 97 minutes, Colour.
Kate Bosworth, Topher Grace, Josh Duhamel, Gary Cole, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kathryn Hahn, Sean Hayes, Nathan Lane.
Directed by Robert Luketic.

Some American towns have unusual, seemingly funny names. This comedy is set in Frasiers Bottom. Not much happens there, especially for girls who work at supermarket checkouts. There is sometimes a possibility of moving away but that can seem remote. But they do go to the movies and cry at some of the movies starring their heartthrob, Tad Hamilton. Needless to say, Tad is not so nice in real life - so his agents (funny turns from Nathan Lane and Sean Hughes who brighten up the film considerably) decide to stage a charity fund-raising competition. The prize - a date with Tad Hamilton.

Australian director, Robert Luketic previously directed Legally Blonde. Kate Bosworth (John Holmes' girlfriend in Wonderland) and Ginnifer Goodwin (a standout from Mona Lisa Smile) are friends, Rosalee and Cathy, along with supervisor Pete (Topher Grace) who wants to leave to study but cannot bring himself to propose to Rosalee. You know it. Rosalee wins and with shrieking and hyperventilating smiles goes to LA and enjoys the date immensely (also delivering some homespun truths to Tad (Josh Duhamel) who falls for her and follows her back to West Virginia. Everyone is glad to have a celebrity in town - except, of course, Pete.

Will Tad propose to Rosalee and sweep her off her feet? Will Pete fight back? Will Cathy help? What does Rosalee's father think of Tad as a son-in-law and what will the agents do to get their star back to Hollywood? You'll find out if you have this light and fluffy date with Tad Hamilton.

1. A popular romantic comedy? Serious, comic, parody of Hollywood and sentimental films? An enjoyable combination?

2. The settings in West Virginia, Fraser's Bottom? The homes, supermarkets, country roads, the farms? The contrast with Los Angeles, the hotels, affluence, restaurants, studios? The musical score - the songs and the comic lyrics commenting on the action?

3. The title, the name of the Hollywood star, the concoction of a publicity stunt for him to have a date with a raffle winner - and raising money for children? The parody of Hollywood, the agents, the managers, the lifestyle of the stars, publicity, gossip columnists, the magazines? The hype and the reality? The gloss and the ordinariness?

4. Rosalee and Cathy watching the film with Pete? Tad Hamilton and the romance, the soldier, the nurse, dancing in the street (Pete's reaction - and the end of the film when, despite himself, he imitates this? Their weeping, the comments on people's reactions? The pictures of Tad Hamilton everywhere? The fans, wondering what he was doing?

5. Tad Hamilton in himself, in the car, reckless driving, drinking, the girl, smoking? The photos in the magazines? The reaction of his agent and his manager? Their wry comments? Thinking up the scheme for the date? Tad and his wanting to be in the film but the director taking a breath?

6. The competition, the Internet, Rosalee and her entering, Pete and his disapproval, the manager of the store? Collecting the money from the people and their willingly giving it? Rosalee and Cathy going home, the television crews, her winning the competition? Pete's reaction, his caution, his wariness about Tad Hamilton's intentions? Rosalee and her packing, going, the excitement?

7. Rosalee, the plane, first class, being met, the hotel, the attention? Rehearsing for Tad Hamilton? The escort, talking with him, words getting mixed up, her being sick because of motion sickness? In the restaurant, awkwardness, not knowing how to toast? The conversation? Going back with him, his advances - and her going back? The arrival home, telling all the detail to Cathy, Pete being bored?

8. Ordinary life in Fraser's Bottom, the work at the supermarket? The sudden arrival of Tad Hamilton? His proposal to Rosalee, their going out for the meal? Going back, in the car? The police finding them parked? Pete and his informing?

9. Rosalee in herself, her enjoyment of the celebrity, friendship with Cathy? Cathy and her wanting all the details? Pete and his exasperation, his wanting to go to Richmond, his wanting to propose to Rosalee but losing the opportunities?

10. Tad and his buying the farm, their going to visit it, his being able to milk a cow, his being able to split wood - the beefcake situation, comparisons with Pete, Pete and his awkwardness?

11. Henry Futch, his reading all the trade magazines, care for Rosalee, discussions with Tad? His thinking that his daughter might marry a celebrity?

12. The characters of Richard Levy the shameless and Richard Levy the driven? Nathan Lane and Sean Hayes and their comedy styles, one-liners, parody of agents and managers? Their arrival, their discussions with Tad, listening outside the door, wanting him to go back, his getting the part?

13. Rosalee, Tad wanting her to go with him, her agreement? On the plane, her realisation that he did not really love her? Her return to Pete?

14. Pete, at work, wanting to study, discussions with the boss, his cynical remarks, observing Rosalee and Tad and trying to disrupt it? Drinking, talking with Angelica, her good advice, his kissing Rosalee? Driving, the crash, dancing on the road?

15. Cathy, the comic best friend, wisecracks, over-eagerness?

16. Angelica, at the bar, her love for Pete, listening, giving him good advice, giving Rosalee good advice?

17. The portrait of ordinary Americans, the place of the movies, fans? The publicity machines? The reality of Tad Hamilton, his basic ordinariness, decency, his screen image, the attraction of Rosalee, influenced by her, wanting to settle down? His really wanting the big part and going back to it?

18. A popular style of old-fashioned romantic comedy?