The Lizzie McGuire Movie is a 2003 comedy film, released on May 2, 2003, by Walt Disney
Pictures.
It was the first Disney Channel Original Series to have a theatrical film and also serves
as a series finale to the television series Lizzie McGuire.
The film stars Hilary Duff, Adam Lamberg, and Yani Gellman.
The movie follows Lizzie McGuire on a graduation trip to Rome.
The film reached number two in the United States box office behind X2: X-Men United.
It was released August 12, 2003 on VHS and DVD.
Plot The film begins with Lizzie McGuire preparing
for her junior high graduation with her best friend, David "Gordo" Gordon.
Lizzie trips onstage and accidentally brings the curtains down on her fellow graduates,
which causes her to be teased mercilessly by her nemesis, Kate Sanders and her younger
brother Matt.
After graduation, Lizzie and her class embark on a trip to Rome chaperoned by their strict
high school principal, Ms. Angela Ungermeyer.
Lizzie and Kate are assigned to be roommates, much to their dismay.
The class first stops at the Trevi Fountain where Lizzie is approached by Paolo, a famous
Italian pop star, who mistakes her for his singing partner Isabella.
Paolo asks Lizzie to meet him at the Trevi Fountain the next day and she pretends to
be sick in order to sneak away.
He explains that he and Isabella are booked for the Italian Music Awards but Isabella
left Italy after their break up.
Paolo confides in Lizzie that Isabella lip synchs and begs Lizzie to pose as her for
the concert.
Lizzie reluctantly agrees but quickly begins to enjoy the life of an Italian pop star with
all the designer clothes, dance rehearsals, and adoration from fans.
Lizzie continues to fake being sick in order to spend time preparing for the concert and
Kate quickly figures out her secret.
Much to Lizzie's surprise, Kate agrees to help her and the two become closer.
Lizzie begins to fall in love with Paolo, much to Gordo's dismay.
Kate and Ethan encourage him to declare his love for Lizzie, but Gordo refuses.
Meanwhile, Ms. Ungermeyer interrogates the students to find out who has been sneaking
out.
Gordo takes the blame and for his punishment, he is sent back to America.
Lizzie is shocked to hear that Gordo gave himself up for her and Kate reveals that Gordo
is in love with her.
At the airport, Gordo meets the real Isabella, who has returned for the concert and is upset
after finding out that Lizzie is impersonating her.
She and Gordo realize that Paolo is planning to cut Lizzie's mike at the concert to convince
the crowd that Isabella is a fake, which would ruin Isabella's career and embarrass Lizzie.
They rush to the concert to stop Paolo.
Meanwhile, back in America, Matt browses the Internet and finds Italian gossip sites that
posted pictures of Lizzie as Isabella.
Matt tells his parents and the family flies to Rome to catch her.
Ms. Ungermeyer also realizes that Lizzie is missing once again and Ethan accidentally
reveals she is at the Italian Music Awards.
The class rushes to the concert to find Lizzie.
Gordo and Isabella find her backstage preparing for the show and attempt to warn her of Paolo's
scheme.
At first, Lizzie refuses to believe them but Isabella reminds Lizzie that Gordo can be
trusted and Paolo is just using her.
When it's time for the performance, Isabella and Gordo expose Paolo by turning on his microphone,
showing his terrible singing voice.
Paolo runs off, embarrassed, and is ambushed by the paparazzi outside.
His bodyguard, Sergei tells Paolo that it's time to face reality and quits to go flirt
with Ms. Ungermeyer who has gotten the class as well as Lizzie’s family into the concert
by beating up the bouncers.
Isabella then introduces Lizzie to the crowd and has Lizzie sing "What Dreams Are Made
Of", revealing herself that she is a talented singer in her own right and she gains a confidence
she previously lacks.
Later, they all celebrate at the after party at the hotel.
Ms. Ungermeyer lifts Gordo's punishment while Lizzie's parents tell her that she's grounded
for the rest of the summer.
Lizzie and Gordo sneak away from the party to go up to the roof.
They promise to never let things change between them and Lizzie kisses him.
They then go rejoin the party.
Cast Hilary Duff as Elizabeth "Lizzie" Brooke McGuire/Isabella
Parigi Haylie Duff provides the singing voice for
Isabella, which is uncredited in the movie.
Adam Lamberg as David "Gordo" Gordon, Lizzie's best friend
Robert Carradine as Sam McGuire, Lizzie's father
Hallie Todd as Jo McGuire, Lizzie's mother Jake Thomas as Matthew "Matt" McGuire, Lizzie's
mischievous younger brother Yani Gellman as Paolo Valisari, a handsome,
famous Italian pop star and the film's main antagonist who plans to use Lizzie to avoid
getting sued for breach of contract Alex Borstein as Miss Angela Ungermeyer, the
abrasive school principal who chaperones the trip
Clayton Snyder as Ethan Craft, Lizzie's crush who later decides to date Kate
Ashlie Brillault as Katherine "Kate" Sanders, Lizzie's rival who helps Lizzie and becomes
her friend by the end Brendan Kelly as Sergei, Paolo's bodyguard
who eventually quits and forms a relationship with Ms. Ungermeyer in the end
Carly Schroeder as Melina Bianco, Matt's friend Daniel R. Escobar as Mr. Escobar
Jody Raicot as Giorgio Terra MacLeod as Franca DiMontecatini
Claude Knowlton as Stage Mana Miranda Sanchez, Lizzie's other best friend,
does not appear in the film.
She is said to be in Mexico City.
Lalaine left the series near the end of the second season.
Production The film was directed by Jim Fall, with the
screenplay penned by Susan Estelle Jansen and Ed Decter & John J. Strauss.
The film was produced by Stan Rogow.
It was filmed in Rome, Lazio, Italy, and at the Trevi Fountain.
All characters from the TV series reprised their roles except for Lalaine, who portrayed
Miranda Sanchez, because she was busy filming another Disney Channel Original Movie called
You Wish!.
Miranda's absence was explained as being on vacation with her parents in Mexico City.
Reception Reviews
Based on 96 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, the film received mostly mixed ratings, earning
an average 40% overall approval rating.
Ultimate Disney reviewed the DVD saying "I didn't expect much from this movie and would
have never paid to see it, but maybe I should have because it's a great movie for what it
is.
I can forgive and forget the corny scene when she's singing at the end, since the rest of
the movie makes up for it.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone who watches and enjoys the TV series; it's like
a feature-length show.
If you're not familiar with the show, it's a nice feel-good movie you should check out.
Gus' Movie Score: 81⁄2" Scott Brown of Entertainment Weekly magazine
gave the film a B+ and commented in his review saying "Let's face it: Lizzie McGuire is just
too darn polished to be a junior-high underdog, even by the standards of her 'luxe suburban
environs'.
But that hasn't tarnished her comeback-kid cred among the six-and-ups who faithfully
follow her Disney Channel show — and it doesn't make The Lizzie McGuire Movie, a clever,
agreeably weightless theatrical outing, any less enjoyable."
Box office In its opening weekend, the film grossed $17,338,755
in 2,825 theaters in the United States and Canada, ranking #2 at the box office, behind
X2: X-Men United.
By the end of its run, The Lizzie McGuire Movie grossed $42,734,455 domestically and
$12,800,000 internationally, totaling $55,534,455 worldwide.
Awards 2004 - Nominated; Leo Awards for Feature Length
Drama: Best Visual Effects 2003 - Won; Teen Choice Awards for Choice
Movie Breakout Star - Female 2003 - Nominated; Teen Choice Awards for Choice
Movie - Comedy 2003 - Nominated; Teen Choice Awards for Choice
Movie Actress - Comedy Soundtrack
The Lizzie McGuire Movie is a soundtrack album for the film, released on April 22, 2003.
It is mostly composed of songs from or inspired by the film, including Hilary Duff's "Why
Not" and sister Haylie's "Girl in the Band".
"Why Not" was released as a single outside the United States on June 23, 2003 and later
included on Hilary Duff's second album, Metamorphosis, with different lyrics in the first verse.
The album has been certified platinum by the CRIA and 2x platinum by the RIAA has sold
2,000,000 copies in the U.S. Track listing
Charts References
External links Official website
The Lizzie McGuire Movie at the Internet Movie Database
The Lizzie McGuire Movie at Rotten Tomatoes Review: The Lizzie McGuire Movie - Disney
Family Article about "Why Not" on TotalGirl!
Australia Walt Disney Records | Lizzie McGuire Movie
Soundtrack Walt Disney Records - The Lizzie McGuire Movie
Soundtrack at the Wayback Machine