My best friend, Madison, and I met in seventh grade and initially bonded over our love for the movie “She’s the Man.” We have seen this movie together countless times and quote it constantly. We even have an inside joke about the movie that we always say when we pick up the phone or see each other for the first time that day. So it is safe to say that I love this movie. It is also based on William Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night.” The movie stars Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum, Laura Ramsey, Vinnie Jones, and David Cross. 

Viola Hastings (Amanda Bynes) plays for her high school, Cornwall’s, soccer team, but unfortunately, the girl’s soccer team gets cut. Viola tries to try out for the boy’s soccer team but is laughed at by the captain of the team, her boyfriend – Justin – his teammates, and the coach. As a result, Viola breaks up with Justina in front of everyone. Viola’s twin brother Sebastian, who is dating Monique, is supposed to start at a fancy boarding school, Illyria, but instead goes on a trip to London. Viola is supposed to cover for Sebastian but instead transforms into Sebastian and takes his place, so she can join the boy’s soccer team and beat Cornwall. 

When she moves in, she meets her roommate, Duke Orsino, who is the soccer team captain. Viola is assigned to the second string during tryouts, which further motivates her. Viola struggles to keep up appearances as “Sebastian” and fails to make any friends. With the help of her girl friends from Cornwall, she tricks them into believing Sebastian has social power and is accepted as a member of the soccer team’s social group. “Sebastain” catches the attention of Olivia, who Duke has a crush on. Duke agrees to help “Sebastian” with soccer if “Sebastian” can help Duke get a date with Olivia. Viola’s mother makes her volunteer at a carnival, and she is forced to work the kissing booth and kisses Duke as Viola. Duke tells “Sebastian” that he might like Viola instead of Olivia, which makes Viola happy because she feels the same way. In an effort to make “Sebastian” jealous, Olivia asks Duke out. That’s not that confusing, right? 

Viola finds out Olivia’s true intentions with Duke and encourages her to tell “Sebastian” how she truly feels and leaves Duke alone. The real Sebastian returns from London early, and Olivia confesses his feelings to him and kisses him. Duke sees Sebastian and Olivia kiss and feels betrayed. “Sebastian” and Duke get into an argument, which confuses Viola because she doesn’t know about Olivia and her brother. 

Viola made first-string for the Cornwall game but overslept after being kicked out of her room. The real Sebastian ends up playing the first half and, at halftime, switches with Viola. Before the switch, a student who is suspicious of “Sebastian” attempts to expose her but is proven wrong. Duke is still mad at “Sebastian” and does not cooperate with him on the field. Viola is frustrated and pauses the game to explain how she pretends to be her brother because she wanted to beat Cornwall. The Illyria coach defends Viola, and she is allowed to play the rest of the game. They beat Cornwall and embarrass Viola’s ex-boyfriend.

The real Sebastian and Olivia begin to date, and Viola confesses her feelings for Duke, but he ignores her. Duke ends up showing up at her debutante bowl, and they begin dating. Viola officially joins Illyria’s soccer team as Viola. 

I love this movie because it is a great and funny movie and connects me to my best friend. This movie also alludes to Shakespeare’s play many times throughout the film, such as the names of the high schools in the movies being the town’s names in the play, which I think is super clever. I studied the play in my tenth-grade English class, so I am able to pick up on these connections. Overall I would rate this movie a ten out of ten.