Why the Absurd Amanda Bynes Comedy "She's the Man" Remains a Teen Favorite 15 Years Later

The Hilarious and Unrealistic World of "She's the Man"

The 2006 romantic comedy "She's the Man" has become a beloved teen movie, thanks in large part to its completely absurd premise. The film stars Amanda Bynes as Viola Hastings, a high school soccer player who disguises herself as her twin brother Sebastian (played by James Kirk) in order to play on his school's boys team after her girls team gets cut.

Viola's Elaborate Scheme

After her request to join the boys team is denied, Viola figures out a way she can play soccer and get back at the cocky Justin Drayton at the same time. She decides to secretly attend Sebastian's new boarding school, Illyria Prep, in his place while he's off in London. That way, Viola (posing as Sebastian) can join the boys soccer team and help them finally beat their rival school, Cornwall Prep.

To pull this off, Viola has to cut her hair, speak in a lower voice, and hide her identity, even as she falls for her soccer teammate Duke Orsino. Her roommate, Paul, and the debutante Olivia also have crushes on Viola's "Sebastian" without realizing he's really a she.

Outrageous Moments

This lighthearted teen film never takes itself too seriously, allowing for laugh-out-loud funny moments. Like when Viola's tampon falls out of her sweatpants pocket in front of Duke, who asks "what is this?" Totally mortified, she replies in a deeper voice "I get nosebleeds..." Other silly scenes include Viola trying to pee standing up using a funnel contraption, as well as a montage of her painfully attempting to walk like a dude.

The movie is chock-full of ridiculous lines, over-the-top characters like the paranoid Principal Gold, and unbelievable plot points that require major suspension of disbelief. Yet that wacky comedy combined with a sweet romance is exactly why "She's the Man" holds up more than 15 years later.

Questionable Messages?

While clearly meant as a fun fantasy film for teens, some viewers have pointed out that the movie seems to send questionable messages when held to today's gender norms. By presenting traditionally feminine Viola as incapable compared to boys until she dresses like them, it almost enforces outdated stereotypes. Additionally, Homophobic jokes at the expense of David Cross' character W.H. Hastings seem dated and insensitive now.

Why Fans Still Love "She's the Man"

Nonetheless, the ultimate message of embracing who you are remains poignant. Viola realizes she shouldn't have to masquerade as someone else or downplay her abilities just to be taken seriously at soccer. And off the field, she discovers importance of being true to yourself when it comes to relationships as well.

Star-Making Performance for Amanda Bynes

While far from Shakespeare, Amanda Bynes showed real comic chops and charisma in her first starring big-screen vehicle. Fresh off her hit Nikelodeon series "The Amanda Show," Bynes proved she could carry a movie with her committed physical comedy and tomboy toughness combined with feminine charm.

Whether wooing Duke with her futbol footwork or fending off Olivia's advances towards her disguised female self, Bynes is always entertaining. No wonder she became the "it girl" teen actress of the 2000s after showing such range in this breakout role.

The Music Rocked Too

The "She's the Man" soundtrack captured all the fun pop punk energy of the mid 2000s as well. From the sugary melodies of Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" to Midtown's more rocking "Just Rock and Roll," these songs embodied the zeitgeist of the time. The Vitamin String Quartet's rendition of "Beautiful Soul" by Jesse McCartney even played during the film's climactic match.

But The Veronicas' smash hit "Revolution" over the final credits truly resonated. Its lyrics about staying true to yourself rather than conforming spoke right to the heart of the movie. Over a decade later, people still associate the song with the liberating message at the core of this silly, delightful teen comedy.

FAQs

What inspired the plot of “She’s the Man”?

The movie is loosely inspired by William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, which also involves cross-dressing twins and mistaken identity. The original script was titled "Twelfth Night."

Did Amanda Bynes really play soccer?

No - a soccer double was used for the wide shots and footage requiring complicated footwork. But Amanda did train for months to perform some soccer scenes herself and look natural on the field.

How old was Amanda Bynes during filming?

19 years old. Amanda took a break from filming her Nickelodeon show All That to make this feature film when she was still a teenager.

Where was “She’s the Man” filmed?

Principal photography took place in Vancouver, British Columbia. Stadium scenes were filmed at Centennial Stadium, while Duke Orsino’s house was shot at a private school near Vancouver.