“Chasing Liberty” (Warner Brothers)
Mandy Moore is chasing stardom in her new film “Chasing Liberty.” In it she gets a chance to play the eighteen-year-old daughter of the President, who wants some fun and freedom. It’s a romantic race around Europe in a movie which falls somewhere in between “Rome Adventure” and “Roman Holiday,” two movies that were made years before the target audience for this movie was born.
Moore plays Anna, daughter of President James Foster (Mark Harmon). Her Secret Service code name is Liberty, thus the title “Chasing Liberty.” Anna wants to have some freedom from the constant scrutiny of the Secret Service, so when the First Family is in Europe she manages to slip away from an event and go off on her own.
She immediately hooks up with Ben Calder (Matthew Goode), a guy with a motor scooter. She thinks he is just a British tourist but in actuality he is also a Secret Service Agent. So Anna isn’t really on her own like she thinks she is. Ben is keeping touch with Anna’s assigned agents, Alan Weiss and Cynthia Morales (Jeremy Piven and Annabella Sciorra).
The dramatic crux of the movie occurs when Anna finds out who Ben really is. That could mean the end of their “romance” or the start of a long-term relationship. Which will it be Well see the movie and find out.
Mandy is okay in the lead role, more or less. She looks great, and acts adequately; but there isn’t a lot of chemistry between her and Goode. Goode is good in his role but not great. He seems rather remote throughout the film and his charm is limited. I am sure millions of teenage girls are going to disagree with that assessment.
Overall the film just seems too prolonged and too repetitive. Anna comes across as slightly spoiled and irresponsible, while Goode is never convincing in his instant attraction to her. Piven and Sciorra’s side story is much more charming and believable.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and partial nudity.
Mandy Moore is a charming young woman who will only get better as she accepts roles more suited to her personality and temperament. Right now she is in an awkward stage of her career, trying to find where she fits in. “A Walk To Remember” suited her best, whereas “Chasing Liberty” isn’t a match made in Heaven.
I scored “Chasing Liberty” a let-her-go” 4 out of 10.
