Approved for 12+

Sydney White

In a college comedy that puts a modern-day twist on an age-old story, Sydney White tells the tale of a tomboy freshman who ditches her conniving sorority sisters and finds a new home with a group of very dorky outcasts. Fed up with the way they've all been treated, she's off to war against the reigning campus royalty.

Gorgeous freshman Sydney White (Amanda Bynes) has come to Southern Atlantic University to pledge her late mom's once-dignified sorority. But while surviving the pledging process wrought by evil campus witch Rachel (Sara Paxton), Syd finds out this version of sisterhood isn't remotely what it's cracked up to be.

Banished to a condemned house on Greek Row, Syd finds her rightful place with a band of seven very socially challenged guys. With the help of one lovestruck frat boy named Tyler (Matt Long), she and the doofs campaign to take over student government. Fighting for the rights of misfits big and small, Syd organizes her gang to revolutionize the system, once and for all.
10
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

There is much to like in this story modeled after the famed Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Amanda Bynes does a convincing job portraying a nice girl who encounters some difficulties during her first year of college. Rather than be influenced and manipulated by the elites, she chooses to befriend a group of shunned self-confessed dorks. Together they learn how to socialize and even make a run for the school council presidency. The messages of this film are morally sound — celebrate your individuality, stand up for your rights, don’t go along with the masses just for popularity sake.

I do feel that the filmmakers made a few wrong choices that taint the overall message. When modernizing the seven dwarfs, the character of Happy became more of a sex-crazed nerd. Because of this, he was much less likeable and made some offensive comments. While much of the film takes place in “Greek Row” at a college, most of the partying and hazing scenes were understated. I did have a problem with a scene where one of the dorks ends up trying to fit in by doing a “keg stand.” In case you don’t know, this is where someone does a hand stand on a keg, puts the tap in their mouth and chugs the beer while the crowd counts down. Binge drinking in college is a serious and deadly issue facing college students today. I don’t appreciate the fact that this character was seen as a hero and even became more popular because of this stunt.

Overall this film is an enjoyable and funny look at college life. Due to the content issues listed below, I would not recommend it for young children. This film is awarded the Dove Family-Approved Seal for ages 12 and over.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

Guy gets hit with football in face; girl gets hit in head with frisbee; guys play combat video game, no blood shown.

2
Sex

Some brief kissing; one character ogles and flirts with girls and states that he wants sex; girl tells guy that she would "hook up" with him.

2
Language

A-4; D-3; H-6; B*tch-2; OMG-3; Ho-3; P-1; Slang for female breasts-1

1
Violence

Guy gets hit with football in face; girl gets hit in head with frisbee; guys play combat video game, no blood shown.

2
Drugs

College students attend party where one character chugs beer while doing a "kegstand".

2
Nudity

Mild cleavage and short skirts; guy leaving shower in towel; girls in bikinis; girl rips off her dress revealing her undergarment; guys tricked into stripping and shown naked from waist up.

1
Other

Dad talks to daughter about her "lady parts"; guy uses urinal while girls are in there cleaning; guys play poker; crossdresser shown on stage; sorority and fraternity members submit their pledges to hazing including mild pranks.

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