DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Sydney White

By June L. Jan 24, 2008, 16:39 GMT

America\'s sweetheart Amanda Bynes stars in the fun comedy Sydney White! When tomboy Sydney (Bynes) is banished from the most popular sorority on campus, she is taken in by seven socially challenged but endearing guys. With the help of her new friends, Sydney stands up for outcasts everywhere and takes on the reigning campus queen in a popularity showdown! But can she succeed and also win the heart of gorgeous ...more

The fairy tale Snow White is used loosely as the framework for this delightful movie.  Instead of a wicked stepmother, Sydney White (Amanda Bynes) has to deal with a wicked sorority president, as she navigates the first days of her freshman year at college. 

The story is full of humor, has incredibly sweet and touching moments, promotes being true to oneself and respecting others, and yet still remains appealing to all ages.  Good work!

When Sydney White was nine years old, her mother died, and for good or bad she was raised by her father and his construction crew buddies.  At eighteen Sydney knows more about installing a water filtration system than what to wear on a dinner date.  In her new role as a college student, she hopes to join her mother’s sorority and find the meaningful friendships her mother held in such esteem, but she makes the mistake of inadvertently crossing Rachel Witchburn (Sara Paxton) the seemingly all powerful president of the sorority. 

Rachel’s selfish scheming sets in motion a situation that drives Sydney to “the Vortex” a haven for outsiders.  There she (in her own words) “juggles seven guys” while keeping her scholarship up, and finding a way to loosen Rachel’s death grip on campus activities. 

There is much to love in this movie, starting with Amanda Bynes.  Her character Sydney is honest and unpretentious, and has great self-respect.  She might receive a few kicks to the ego, but she never stoops to the viciousness that her adversary Rachel exhibits.  Sydney’s talents are exercised to make things better for the seven guys living in “the vortex,” as she encourages them to improve their lives and conditions through positive actions. 

Although full of goodness of spirit, this movie never sinks to sappy or drippy sentimentality.  Sydney and her fellow vortexians benefit from their association with each other, much like a family.  If sisters are in the sorority houses and brothers occupy the fraternity dwellings, those in “the vortex” are an equally bonded and caring family that the viewer grows to love.

Sydney White is presented in widescreen format on a single disc with a feature playing time of 1 hour and 48 minutes.  The special features included on the disc are enjoyable, entertaining and add much to the feature film.  The deleted scenes are introduced by director Joe Nussbaum, whose obvious love for the project and respect for his cast and crew increase the viewer’s appreciation of this work. 

A guided tour through “the vortex,” interviews with the cast, and behind the scenes peeks at all the aspects of filming are graciously shared. 

This is a little treasure of a film, one that while based on a fairy tale, comes across as very believable.  You won’t want to leave the campus once the story is finished, and that is a tribute to the hard work of all involved.

Sydney White is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.