I almost didn't watch the movie because I saw the reviews of others here on IMDb. In the end I decided to try it anyway and was pleasantly surprised. Sure, the story has been done before, and in the end it may not be the most realistic, but that's not why you should want to watch this movie anyway. It's a happy, feel-good movie about following your dreams that, when you finish watching it, leaves you with a smile on your face. I recommend this to anyone with a bit of extra time who just wants to watch a relaxing, cheerful movie like me (a 21 year old girl XD) or for anyone who wants a nice, clean movie to watch for or with their children. Enjoy!
73 Reviews
Don't listen to the negative reviews.
kelseydanielle-811994 July 2018
Disregard the bad rating and reviews for this movie. It's a great film for the whole family and for all ages. There really isn't anything to complain about in the whole film. There's a few parts that actually show/teach good character of a person.
It's funny, fun, sweet, innocent, and just a good film!
A sweet harmless movie that if not taken too seriously is quite enjoyable.
JimmyCollins3 October 2011
Monte Carlo is a sweet romantic comedy in the same vain as The Lizzie McGuire Movie, the story is about a small town gal from Texas, her best friend and her uptight sister who all travel to Paris for a week, only to get separated from their tour group, they take refuge in the nearest hotel and one of the gals is mistaken for a wealthy British heiress and that's when the story takes off. Cue lots of awkward situations and a cute love story and there you have it.
Selena Gomez is quite nice to watch, as is Miss Meester and Katie Cassidy, all three girls have their own storyline throughout the film and each get their chance to shine. Full props to Selena for being entirely convincing as a snooty British snob, she nailed it. The one thing I didn't get was everyone in the movie from Texas has a Texan accent except Selena, I don't know if this was a deliberate mistake or just plain laziness, but for me it was the only thing that bothered me.
The movie is quite girly, not that that's a bad thing, that's the target audience, but for me it was still easy to watch and enjoyable enough. Give it a go, its not a classic teen film but hey, it's nice enough for a movie night with the girls. :)
Selena Gomez is quite nice to watch, as is Miss Meester and Katie Cassidy, all three girls have their own storyline throughout the film and each get their chance to shine. Full props to Selena for being entirely convincing as a snooty British snob, she nailed it. The one thing I didn't get was everyone in the movie from Texas has a Texan accent except Selena, I don't know if this was a deliberate mistake or just plain laziness, but for me it was the only thing that bothered me.
The movie is quite girly, not that that's a bad thing, that's the target audience, but for me it was still easy to watch and enjoyable enough. Give it a go, its not a classic teen film but hey, it's nice enough for a movie night with the girls. :)
Excellent tween and teen movie!
FourInTheFamily18 July 2011
Monte Carlo is a charming movie for tweens and/or teens. Several other reviewers disliked the movie calling it predictable and boring but I have to vehemently disagree. If you are looking for a cute, adventurous movie with NO SWEARING, NO NUDITY, NO SEXUAL SCENES or INNUENDOS, NO SMOKING, and NO DRUGS then this is the movie for you (and us!)! This movie reminds me of some of the 1960's Disney movies that were plot-wise too old for little kids but still 'safe' for the not quite teenagers.
This is a classic movie about mistaken identity and learning to get along. The 3 main characters in the movies are all very different personalities but they grow and learn to accept each other by the end of the movie. They also have very different 'happy endings' but seeing how different they are, the characters should end happily-ever-after differently.
There are some funny moments, some thinking 'would I do that?' moments, and some 'good for her' moments. You genuinely like each of these characters (except the mean girl) by the end of the show whether you liked them at the beginning or not.
This movie is perfect for its target audience of tweens/early teens and I wish more movies like this were available with today's stars!
This is a classic movie about mistaken identity and learning to get along. The 3 main characters in the movies are all very different personalities but they grow and learn to accept each other by the end of the movie. They also have very different 'happy endings' but seeing how different they are, the characters should end happily-ever-after differently.
There are some funny moments, some thinking 'would I do that?' moments, and some 'good for her' moments. You genuinely like each of these characters (except the mean girl) by the end of the show whether you liked them at the beginning or not.
This movie is perfect for its target audience of tweens/early teens and I wish more movies like this were available with today's stars!
3 Cinderellas
nogodnomasters20 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Grace (Selena Gomez), a small town Texas girl has been saving up for 4 years through High School to go to Paris. She is excited about going with her friend Emma (Katie Cassidy) who seems to be a bit of a floozy- shoes she says, "If they ain't hurtin' they ain't helpin'. However Dad wants her to take along her step sister Meg (Leighton Meester)who is not exactly welcomed as she looks too much like Kristen Stewart with the blood drained out of her and acts about the same.
The three are in Paris having a miserable time because their tour is inanely rushing them. It isn't long before they become separated.
Grace is mistaken for Cordelia Winthrop Scott, British heiress and the 3 Cinderellas end up in Monte Carlo, dressed up and going to a ball. At this point the plot is pretty well established. The acting was less than expected, as was the script. Comedy is very light. This is perhaps a young teen female movie. Originally Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts were supposed to star in this film, but the producers wanted a younger cast...guess how that worked out?
No bad language, so sex, no nudity.
The three are in Paris having a miserable time because their tour is inanely rushing them. It isn't long before they become separated.
Grace is mistaken for Cordelia Winthrop Scott, British heiress and the 3 Cinderellas end up in Monte Carlo, dressed up and going to a ball. At this point the plot is pretty well established. The acting was less than expected, as was the script. Comedy is very light. This is perhaps a young teen female movie. Originally Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts were supposed to star in this film, but the producers wanted a younger cast...guess how that worked out?
No bad language, so sex, no nudity.
OK movie until silly mistaken identity
SnoopyStyle22 March 2014
Grace (Selena Gomez) is a small town girl from Texas. She has saved up all her money for a week long trip to Paris. She's going with her best friend fellow waitress wild girl Emma (Katie Cassidy). Then she's forced to go with her bitter stepsister Meg (Leighton Meester) by her parents. Meg is still sad and angry from the death of her mother, and she doesn't get along with her stepsister. The trip doesn't go well. They're rushed from one place to the next, and finally get left behind at the Eiffel Tower. When they seek shelter from the rain, Grace is mistaken for socialite Cordelia Winthrop Scott. The trio first take the hotel room, then accept a private jet ride to Monte Carlo. That's when chaos and hijinx ensue.
I like the setup of the two stepsister's conflict. The first half is actually pretty good. It has the promise of some personal growth. Then the silly mistaken identity starts to take its toll. It starts with the ridiculous foreign accent from Gomez. It's like even she knows it's silly. Worst still, the group is split apart. The only hope for this movie is for the group to develop chemistry together. Once apart, any hope for this movie falls by the wayside. The last act is just one ridiculous sitcom after another. They even put an apple into Selena's mouth. BTW that doesn't work as a gag. It becomes hopelessly stupid.
I like the setup of the two stepsister's conflict. The first half is actually pretty good. It has the promise of some personal growth. Then the silly mistaken identity starts to take its toll. It starts with the ridiculous foreign accent from Gomez. It's like even she knows it's silly. Worst still, the group is split apart. The only hope for this movie is for the group to develop chemistry together. Once apart, any hope for this movie falls by the wayside. The last act is just one ridiculous sitcom after another. They even put an apple into Selena's mouth. BTW that doesn't work as a gag. It becomes hopelessly stupid.
Better than traveling trousers
charlytully26 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Who needs magic pants when you can combine the great scenery of Texas, Paris, and Monte Carlo into one fun flick? This is a feature that allows its girls to have their cake, and eat it too, as Marie Antoinette might say. Selena Gomez follows in the footsteps of THE PRINCE & THE PAUPER, THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, and most especially, THE PATTY DUKE SHOW from TV's Golden Age as two look-alike characters, the winning Texan Grace Bennett and the stuck-up Brit Cordelia Winthrop Scott. Fortunately, no one spends decades in a dungeon or gets their head lopped off in this story. Some temporarily missing jewelry threatens to throw a monkey wrench into the happy endings for the small-town America 18- to 21-year-old girl trio, but the tone set from the git-go by writer\director Thomas Bezucha forecasts the frowns will be turned upside down by the end credits. Leighton Meister as Grace's new older step-sister Meg and Katie Cassidy as Grace's older best friend and waitress coworker Emma acquit themselves well as the salt and pepper to Grace's sugar. Perhaps it is no coincidence that Grace's last name is Bennett, as Gomez should be old enough to tackle the next PRIDE & PREJUDICE remake.
Could be a Disney TV movie
neenahhh8 July 2011
"Monte Carlo" follows Grace, Meg and Emma as they travel to Paris, the city of light. However their trip doesn't turn out as good as they hoped it would be. Everything's terrible. Their booked tour, their hotel, their rooms- everything! But their luck changes when Grace is mistaken for a wealthy British celebrity.
This was a sloppily done movie. I'm regretting that I actually went to the movie theater to watch it. This movie's quality was on par with many of the TV movies that Disney has made. The actual plot seemed like it was hastily done and had a few plot holes. Also, I found that each girl's romance stories were unrealistic, underdeveloped and mostly boring.
However, while watching the movie, I did find myself enjoying myself and even chuckling a bit. But maybe it's just because of my age. I don't suggest watching this movie if you're over the age of 15. Or if you aren't female.
Viewed on: July 8, 2011
This was a sloppily done movie. I'm regretting that I actually went to the movie theater to watch it. This movie's quality was on par with many of the TV movies that Disney has made. The actual plot seemed like it was hastily done and had a few plot holes. Also, I found that each girl's romance stories were unrealistic, underdeveloped and mostly boring.
However, while watching the movie, I did find myself enjoying myself and even chuckling a bit. But maybe it's just because of my age. I don't suggest watching this movie if you're over the age of 15. Or if you aren't female.
Viewed on: July 8, 2011
Excellent, pleasant film!
promind29 July 2013
I watch this film many, many times, at least once a week, and I always feel such a pleasure. It is a rare script for our time. There is no blood, murders, brutal exposed sex, violence, cruelty, sadism, vampires, lesbians. All those things that inundate the screen in these days purposely. Just beautiful fairy-tail, well written story, with beautiful actors and actresses, shot in stunning, amazing locations. What is better than that, to watch a film without counting the dead, ferociously murdered people? For some it could be a naive film, but it is a film, one on thousands, shot in the last years without violence and crimes. This is one of the few films that you can watch and relax and enjoy it. I wish there would be more films like this one. Thank you to the writer and director who gave me that pleasure. Make more!
Silly, and pretty but not as much fun as other similar outings
Robert_duder20 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Unlike some IMDb reviewers I can watch a movie and understand what demographic it is for and enjoy it for that demographic and review it fairly. Obviously Monte Carlo was not written for my demographic but there has been plenty of "Disney" type pre-teen "Chick flicks" that I have thoroughly enjoyed for what they are. Monte Carlo doesn't really fit that bill very well. The movie has a decent, well liked, and popular lead cast, lovely European locations, a funny comedic plot but none of it really takes off. I would have liked to have seen more slapstick laugh out moments and better chemistry with the cast would have made this far better than what it was. I think I expected the film to fit the demographic of pre-teen...12-14 year olds but instead, at best, this is made for 10-12 year olds.
Selena Gomez plays her dual roles in the film as down to earth likable Grace, and the uppity, snotty, entitled Cordelia. She actually does a solid job in both roles but she is one of the people I expected more laughs from and that never really happens. Katie Cassidy plays Grace's best friend. I thought she sort of didn't fit in the cast very well. I like Cassidy in certain roles but this one just didn't fit her and she didn't have great chemistry with Gomez. Leighton Meester is okay as Gomez's step-sister. Meester is a great actress but I don't think her character has much depth and she comes across as very unlikable for the most part. The supporting cast including Andie MacDowell and Cory Monteith are okay in their roles but far from noticeable or stand out in their performances. Even the romantic story lines are rather weak because the male romantic leads are completely forgettable.
I would imagine that young girls will still get a kick out of the film but it could have been a whole lot more given the positive aspects of the film. I would say that the film's lack of impression was due to co-writer and director Thomas Bezucha lack of experience but he did an excellent job on his previous film "The Family Stone" but I still think this wasn't necessarily the right project for him because I think the script lacked real depth and the execution of the film lacked punch. While there are some fun moments and some amusing laughs, overall this one is definitely avoidable. There are just too many better films for the same demographic. 6/10
Selena Gomez plays her dual roles in the film as down to earth likable Grace, and the uppity, snotty, entitled Cordelia. She actually does a solid job in both roles but she is one of the people I expected more laughs from and that never really happens. Katie Cassidy plays Grace's best friend. I thought she sort of didn't fit in the cast very well. I like Cassidy in certain roles but this one just didn't fit her and she didn't have great chemistry with Gomez. Leighton Meester is okay as Gomez's step-sister. Meester is a great actress but I don't think her character has much depth and she comes across as very unlikable for the most part. The supporting cast including Andie MacDowell and Cory Monteith are okay in their roles but far from noticeable or stand out in their performances. Even the romantic story lines are rather weak because the male romantic leads are completely forgettable.
I would imagine that young girls will still get a kick out of the film but it could have been a whole lot more given the positive aspects of the film. I would say that the film's lack of impression was due to co-writer and director Thomas Bezucha lack of experience but he did an excellent job on his previous film "The Family Stone" but I still think this wasn't necessarily the right project for him because I think the script lacked real depth and the execution of the film lacked punch. While there are some fun moments and some amusing laughs, overall this one is definitely avoidable. There are just too many better films for the same demographic. 6/10
A Nutshell Review: Monte Carlo
DICK STEEL1 July 2011
If you had asked me who was Selena Gomez a few months back, I would have just blinked at you. If not for attending Justin Bieber's 3D documentary film, being intrigued by his internet fueled meteoric success and inevitably feeding off the tabloids on his career, I would not have known who the lead actress was, but now I do. Based loosely on the novel Headhunters by Jules Bass, the release of Monte Carlo this week in the US and Singapore would probably be deemed suicidal, if not for its appeal to the intended demographic left out of the testosterone filled Transformers, and the more mature movie going audience who would likely flock to Larry Crowne starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts (opens in Singapore next week to avoid a three-way battle).
And appeal to that group it does, playing up to its favourite things that if I were a girl I would gobble this up hook, line and sinker. There's travelling to Europe, Paris no less, with a BFF, and a sister you'd love to hate in tow, meeting attractive and more importantly, single guys at every turn, travelling in luxury from being ferried in private jets and limousines, rubbing shoulders with royalty and the rich and famous, as well as having an arsenal of gorgeous outfits to get into topped off by million dollar jewellery, participating in exotic games and attending the coolest parties. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?
But that's about it, with the film very much set in territory already explored in countless of films dealing with coincidental, mistaken identity, where the Prince and the Pauper switch places – this one being one sided and without permission – for the pauper to experience the high life, leading onto moralistic questions such as whether one will be enticed by things superficial and materialistic, or will one return to one's humble roots with morals, principles and values intact. It's the same old usual themes about wanting to fulfill personal objectives and dreams, whatever they may be, whether done so through hard work, or just by meeting the right people.
Selena Gomez takes on two roles here, although her role as the mean British heiress Cordelia Winthrop Scott looks like she's suffering from a constant PMS. Her other main role is of course as Grace, the simple waitress from Texas who had graduated and is taking her graduating trip to Paris with best friend Emma (Katie Cassidy), only for her parents to get her half-sister Meg (Leighton Meester) to tag along despite their hating of each other's guts. So begins the journey of self-discovery for all – Grace to decide whether she should keep up with the charade she and her pals find themselves in at the risk of being a fraud to Theo (Pierre Boulanger) of the Hotel de Paris, Emma to try and figure out if the high life and potentially rich royal-family linked acquaintance can be anything more than friends as compared to her troubled boyfriend Owen (Cory Monteith), and Meg learning to becoming less uptight while getting swept off her feet by Aussie tourist Riley (Luke Bracey).
Yes, that's all the romance lined up, as they zip around the different places in luxurious Monte Carlo, having the second act centered around closure in and around a million dollar necklace meant for a charity auction. In some ways that was the best part of the film as finally there is a sense of purpose and urgency to try and resolve everything amicably and set their identities straight as their charade comes to the inevitable close, with well timed, expected comedy to pave the way to a finale that ends all too conveniently.
Naturally the landscapes make up the film with its far flung, beautiful locations that would just make you want to save up enough to jet set in the same fashion, trying very hard to make you forget the many plot conveniences and coincidences, for the very obviously predictable way this teeny bopper film is appealing to the teenage female population through the latest It girl making that transition from music to film. Strictly or the fans only.
And appeal to that group it does, playing up to its favourite things that if I were a girl I would gobble this up hook, line and sinker. There's travelling to Europe, Paris no less, with a BFF, and a sister you'd love to hate in tow, meeting attractive and more importantly, single guys at every turn, travelling in luxury from being ferried in private jets and limousines, rubbing shoulders with royalty and the rich and famous, as well as having an arsenal of gorgeous outfits to get into topped off by million dollar jewellery, participating in exotic games and attending the coolest parties. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?
But that's about it, with the film very much set in territory already explored in countless of films dealing with coincidental, mistaken identity, where the Prince and the Pauper switch places – this one being one sided and without permission – for the pauper to experience the high life, leading onto moralistic questions such as whether one will be enticed by things superficial and materialistic, or will one return to one's humble roots with morals, principles and values intact. It's the same old usual themes about wanting to fulfill personal objectives and dreams, whatever they may be, whether done so through hard work, or just by meeting the right people.
Selena Gomez takes on two roles here, although her role as the mean British heiress Cordelia Winthrop Scott looks like she's suffering from a constant PMS. Her other main role is of course as Grace, the simple waitress from Texas who had graduated and is taking her graduating trip to Paris with best friend Emma (Katie Cassidy), only for her parents to get her half-sister Meg (Leighton Meester) to tag along despite their hating of each other's guts. So begins the journey of self-discovery for all – Grace to decide whether she should keep up with the charade she and her pals find themselves in at the risk of being a fraud to Theo (Pierre Boulanger) of the Hotel de Paris, Emma to try and figure out if the high life and potentially rich royal-family linked acquaintance can be anything more than friends as compared to her troubled boyfriend Owen (Cory Monteith), and Meg learning to becoming less uptight while getting swept off her feet by Aussie tourist Riley (Luke Bracey).
Yes, that's all the romance lined up, as they zip around the different places in luxurious Monte Carlo, having the second act centered around closure in and around a million dollar necklace meant for a charity auction. In some ways that was the best part of the film as finally there is a sense of purpose and urgency to try and resolve everything amicably and set their identities straight as their charade comes to the inevitable close, with well timed, expected comedy to pave the way to a finale that ends all too conveniently.
Naturally the landscapes make up the film with its far flung, beautiful locations that would just make you want to save up enough to jet set in the same fashion, trying very hard to make you forget the many plot conveniences and coincidences, for the very obviously predictable way this teeny bopper film is appealing to the teenage female population through the latest It girl making that transition from music to film. Strictly or the fans only.
Monte Carlo: A contrived fairy tale that's been done before and better.
ThatsWhatTheyTellMe3 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Selena Gomez stars as an optimistic teen from Texas in this comedy...now I use the word comedy loosely since unless you're under the age of twelve, it's doubtful that you'll ever physically laugh while viewing this film. Gomez's Grace has been saving pennies for years while working a thankless waiting job and attending her high school classes. Finally a graduate, she and her best friend, Emma, played by the strikingly beautiful Katie Cassidy, are off to Paris for a vacation of a lifetime. But no fairy-tale is complete without the unwanted stepsister tagging alone, this time portrayed by Leighton Meester.
In what could have offered some comedic moments but somehow failed to, the girls realize their tour of Paris just doesn't live up to expectations. Add that with the fact Grace and Emma aren't exactly fond of Grace's uptight stepsister, the vacation is a nightmare to the girls. Luckily, this is where the magic comes in and it is discovered that Grace has an identical look-alike who happens to stroll into the hotel where the girls are. Add some cheesy contrivances and a few unbelievable plot twists and bam! The girls find themselves on a private jet to Monte Carlo, where Grace will be posing as her snotty doppleganger Cordelia.
The girls then go into romantic individual story lines, each one more dull and pointless than the next. Grace's romance with French socialite Theo evolves at a rapid and completely unrelatable pace. He literally dislikes her one second and then decides that because she likes horses that she's "different" and the one for him. They briefly check out some fireworks and fall for each other without exchanging so much as an e-mail address. Emma must decide between a snooty guy she meets who rarely speaks and is played by an unknown actor or her sweet Texan boyfriend played by popular Glee heartthrob Cory Monteith. Gee, I wonder who she will choose in the end? The most intriguing relationship as far as romance goes to Meg and Riley. Riley is a forward Australian mate who manages to open up Meg's hard exterior and help her come to terms with her mother's passing while they fall for each other. Their romance has a slight adventurous quality to it that's somewhat redeemable.
The thing about Monte Carlo is that while it's not horrifically offensive, it's hardly passable for entertainment. It's dull, long, boring, and stretched out over practically two hours in a simple and cheesy story that could've been handled in 90 minutes. Gomez, who has a great sense of comedic timing and charisma that she showcases on her poorly written Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place, won me over on a show that's just not good, so it's unfortunate that she has yet to find a film that will truly utilize her skills and allow her to showcase her true star potential to the world. Hopefully she'll be given further chances after this failure. Leighton and Katie are also very likable in their roles, but the film's weak script and lack of comedy can't save this dull film. Despite all of the above, the scenery is gorgeous and the three young actresses are not to blame for this poor excuse for a romantic comedy. Especially when there are great family films out there featuring female leads that cover all age-groups such as Disney's Tangled.
In what could have offered some comedic moments but somehow failed to, the girls realize their tour of Paris just doesn't live up to expectations. Add that with the fact Grace and Emma aren't exactly fond of Grace's uptight stepsister, the vacation is a nightmare to the girls. Luckily, this is where the magic comes in and it is discovered that Grace has an identical look-alike who happens to stroll into the hotel where the girls are. Add some cheesy contrivances and a few unbelievable plot twists and bam! The girls find themselves on a private jet to Monte Carlo, where Grace will be posing as her snotty doppleganger Cordelia.
The girls then go into romantic individual story lines, each one more dull and pointless than the next. Grace's romance with French socialite Theo evolves at a rapid and completely unrelatable pace. He literally dislikes her one second and then decides that because she likes horses that she's "different" and the one for him. They briefly check out some fireworks and fall for each other without exchanging so much as an e-mail address. Emma must decide between a snooty guy she meets who rarely speaks and is played by an unknown actor or her sweet Texan boyfriend played by popular Glee heartthrob Cory Monteith. Gee, I wonder who she will choose in the end? The most intriguing relationship as far as romance goes to Meg and Riley. Riley is a forward Australian mate who manages to open up Meg's hard exterior and help her come to terms with her mother's passing while they fall for each other. Their romance has a slight adventurous quality to it that's somewhat redeemable.
The thing about Monte Carlo is that while it's not horrifically offensive, it's hardly passable for entertainment. It's dull, long, boring, and stretched out over practically two hours in a simple and cheesy story that could've been handled in 90 minutes. Gomez, who has a great sense of comedic timing and charisma that she showcases on her poorly written Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place, won me over on a show that's just not good, so it's unfortunate that she has yet to find a film that will truly utilize her skills and allow her to showcase her true star potential to the world. Hopefully she'll be given further chances after this failure. Leighton and Katie are also very likable in their roles, but the film's weak script and lack of comedy can't save this dull film. Despite all of the above, the scenery is gorgeous and the three young actresses are not to blame for this poor excuse for a romantic comedy. Especially when there are great family films out there featuring female leads that cover all age-groups such as Disney's Tangled.
could have been a little better
mattkratz22 May 2017
I think Leonard Maltin was right in his review about this movie:this should have been a better movie. It wasn't too bad, as it was fun watching Selena Gomez in a dual role as an ordinary girl from Texas and a snotty British heiress. This was an OK film about a girl from Texas who saves up with tip money from her job as a waitress to go to Paris after her high school graduation with here friend and stepsister, everything goes wrong there, and she winds up in Monte Carlo and gets mistaken for a look-alike British heiress and winds up taking her place in a fundraiser. While the movie has its moments (I loved the scenes in the rundown hotel room in Paris, where they get separated from the tour in Paris, the scenes with both of Gomes's roles, and the fundraising scene), this movie was average at best. I did like it though. The stars were appealing.
** out of ****
** out of ****
All it's missing is a narration by its female lead
StevePulaski22 August 2011
The problem with Disney Channel stars like Selena Gomez is they're a piece of product placement themselves. They almost come branded with a Disney logo on their forehead, and they present themselves like Disney is always watching them, making sure they maintain the "pretty-girl-who-is-always-clean" persona every one of their actresses has.
Speaking of Disney Channel, I'm curious why this film was so special it had to go theatrical. This is Disney Channel, ABC Family, TV show movie quality. Not summer blockbuster quality. Nothing in this film is remotely special for it to go theatrical. Some points I was trying to pick and choose where commercials would've gone. This will likely end up on the network sometime in 2012. I'm sure parents might be forced by their eight year olds to watch this and I'm sure they'll think "I'm glad we didn't have to pay money to see this in the theaters." Monte Carlo is about Grace (Gomez), a teenage girl who has just graduated High School, and plans to go on a big trip to Paris. She's been saving money for this trip for a while, but her step-dad (Cullen) announces at the dinner table that he has paid for Grace, her friend Emma (Cassidy), and Grace's half sister Meg (Meester). The three girls go off to their destination, and realize soon after that the trip has been a bust. That is until Grace is mistaken for Cordelia Winthrop-Scott (also played by Gomez), a British heiress. So the three girls now travel to Monte Carlo where they are living someone else's life.
No doubt that little girls still amused by Disney Channel's antics will find this film perfectly acceptable, and Selena Gomez to be a role-model. For someone like me, this isn't the kind of film I find good or unique. We also get contrived love stories for each of the three girls, and this winds up feeling more like Sex and the City than a Disney Channel film.
The message is "be yourself, not someone else" as if we hadn't heard it before, the soundtrack boasts bubblegum pop much like every other teenage film, and by the end of the film nothing is learned from the girls or even hinted that they even found what they did was wrong. They suffer no consequences. So instead of telling us to "be ourselves," Disney is possibly saying "go ahead and lie about who you are and fake your identity, the consequences won't be as serious as long as you say you learned something." Most illogical.
Monte Carlo's problem doesn't stem from the three leads. They are beautiful women with lots of potential. The problem is that this is nothing short of cliché, nothing shy of Disney, and the fact that this doesn't attempt to morph its characters into recognizable human beings. I'm hoping one day Selena Gomez will ditch her Disney Channel persona, and hopefully, take on an acting career filled with drama roles and very heartfelt comedies. Something of Judd Apatow maybe. But, as of now, she is stuck advertising for a network that lost its touch many, many years ago.
Starring: Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, and Katie Cassidy. Directed by: Thomas Bezucha.
Speaking of Disney Channel, I'm curious why this film was so special it had to go theatrical. This is Disney Channel, ABC Family, TV show movie quality. Not summer blockbuster quality. Nothing in this film is remotely special for it to go theatrical. Some points I was trying to pick and choose where commercials would've gone. This will likely end up on the network sometime in 2012. I'm sure parents might be forced by their eight year olds to watch this and I'm sure they'll think "I'm glad we didn't have to pay money to see this in the theaters." Monte Carlo is about Grace (Gomez), a teenage girl who has just graduated High School, and plans to go on a big trip to Paris. She's been saving money for this trip for a while, but her step-dad (Cullen) announces at the dinner table that he has paid for Grace, her friend Emma (Cassidy), and Grace's half sister Meg (Meester). The three girls go off to their destination, and realize soon after that the trip has been a bust. That is until Grace is mistaken for Cordelia Winthrop-Scott (also played by Gomez), a British heiress. So the three girls now travel to Monte Carlo where they are living someone else's life.
No doubt that little girls still amused by Disney Channel's antics will find this film perfectly acceptable, and Selena Gomez to be a role-model. For someone like me, this isn't the kind of film I find good or unique. We also get contrived love stories for each of the three girls, and this winds up feeling more like Sex and the City than a Disney Channel film.
The message is "be yourself, not someone else" as if we hadn't heard it before, the soundtrack boasts bubblegum pop much like every other teenage film, and by the end of the film nothing is learned from the girls or even hinted that they even found what they did was wrong. They suffer no consequences. So instead of telling us to "be ourselves," Disney is possibly saying "go ahead and lie about who you are and fake your identity, the consequences won't be as serious as long as you say you learned something." Most illogical.
Monte Carlo's problem doesn't stem from the three leads. They are beautiful women with lots of potential. The problem is that this is nothing short of cliché, nothing shy of Disney, and the fact that this doesn't attempt to morph its characters into recognizable human beings. I'm hoping one day Selena Gomez will ditch her Disney Channel persona, and hopefully, take on an acting career filled with drama roles and very heartfelt comedies. Something of Judd Apatow maybe. But, as of now, she is stuck advertising for a network that lost its touch many, many years ago.
Starring: Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, and Katie Cassidy. Directed by: Thomas Bezucha.
Wanted it to be good - it wasn't
phd_travel20 August 2011
This movie should have been good I was so looking forward to it. They had an attractive cast and beautiful locations. How could they go wrong? It's pretty bad. The premise is familiar but still usually works - 3 American girls go to Europe and fall into mischief and romance. The problem is there is very little romance and very little humor. The screenplay is badly written without amusing situations or a build up of romance. The dialog is not witty or charming. Hardly any laughs. The directing is bad and choppy. Scenes just seem to jump from one to another abruptly. Leighton Meester is a good actress on Gossip Girl but here she seems to have just limited expressions. Katie Cassidy is slightly miscast a bit too together looking to be what she plays. The casting is strange. Selena Gomez looking like a British heiress? Not only does she not look the part her accent and acting in her 2 characters are not different enough. The male leads Cory Monteith who is a bit of a limited actor usually and Pierre Boulanger don't have much to work with. Only saving grace the locations and scenery are spectacular and it has a very on location feel. Overall: See if it you are a die hard fan of one or more of them but prepared to be disappointed.
A film that has so much fun.
XueHuaBingYu20 June 2019
Monte Carlo is the second one of Selena Gomez's films that I watched. I saw Selena Gomez in Another Cinderella Story and I totally loved her. Most of the time, I just knew that she sang and I love her sing. When I saw her act, I felt like she wasn't that much good, but not that much bad. Just ordinary and normal, no unique fact. Although she's not that much good in acting, I still love her. 😘
What I love about this film is that two Selena Gomezes. And two of them are entirely different from one another. And the film is somehow cute and funny although it's not a comedy that much. I feel like it's so much fun. That's why I love this film.
All in all, this film looks like a normal film, but it's a good film to enjoy.
What I love about this film is that two Selena Gomezes. And two of them are entirely different from one another. And the film is somehow cute and funny although it's not a comedy that much. I feel like it's so much fun. That's why I love this film.
All in all, this film looks like a normal film, but it's a good film to enjoy.
Selena Takes a Vacation.
anaconda-4065816 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Monte Carlo (2011): Dir: Thomas Bezucha / Cast: Selena Gomez, Leighton Meester, Katie Cassidy, Cory Monteith, Theo Marchand: Surprisingly better than one may at first believe. It regards experience as seen within a screenplay that has been rehashed many times. It regards mistaken identities and stars three teenage girls who travel to Europe only to miss their tour bus. One is mistaken for a young bratty lookalike celebrity who is suppose to do a charity. The cast render this recycled story watchable. Selena Gomez does fine in duo roles. She is at first disappointed because her older sister and her best friend do not get along. Then she is mistaken for someone else and everything pretty much becomes predictable. Leighton Meester plays her reasonable yet uptight older sister who will catch the eye of an Australian gentleman thus unleashing her wild side. Katie Cassidy plays the promiscuous best friend who learns a thing or two about wealth and good manners when she is invited onto a yacht. Cory Monteith plays Cassidy's boyfriend who acts like a douche in the film's opening, but has second thoughts and travels to Europe to make amends. We know where this is heading and that the identities will be revealed and all will be well and happily ever after. Theo Marchand plays the son of the hosting philanthropist and he doesn't initially take much of a liking to her. It features beautiful photography and locations that highlight throughout. This is hardly a great film, and it contains very little originality but it is entertaining for its target audience whom will likely have dreamed of such travels. Score: 5 / 10
Not so good but nice
gianmarcoronconi13 June 2023
This film is the definition of adolescent stupidity because it contains everything that is wrong in a film for teenagers, with a ridiculous and very banal plot, but it is entertaining and also very entertaining and this is terrible because the film is awful and I recognize it, it has absolutely no positive aspect since even the acting is more like a TV series where no one wanted to commit themselves than a film but because of the very tight pace the film manages not to get bored and for this in my opinion it even deserves a very narrow sufficiency which identifies it among those horrible film but not really to throw away because it still manages terribly in the arduous task of entertaining the viewer.
Why would anyone make a movie this bad?
Mat_Nichol5 April 2020
I can't quite grasp how poorly made this is. The film lumbers from cliché to cliché via a very unoriginal plot. I understand that its target audience is very young people but this shouldn't stop professionals from trying to make a quality product. Do better.
A good old fashion clean movie!
faronyoung2325 May 2018
I love this movie. It reminds me so much of the old travel movies that I am sure the director, like me, grew up watching. It's a great movie and a guilty pleasure of mine to watch. So many movies out there deal with sex and profanity that when a movie like this comes along it is very refreshing. The music is great as are the location settings. The actors all do wonderful jobs. I've read the complaints and I think this movies stands well on it's own despite it's simplicity.
Fun, enjoyable & lighthearted film that will inspire you to travel
Daova24 June 2020
I first saw this movie in theaters when it came out in 2011 and enjoyed it so much that I bought it when it became available on iTunes. Having rewatched it 9 years later, It has the same charm as I'd always remembered, and from a logical perspective I don't understand why it was given such low ratings.
It's no oscar film I understand, but this film deserves at least a 7 star rating. All of its elements made for the kind of film that a girl and her family could genuinely sit down and enjoy. Watching it makes the viewer dream, and it sparks hope that one could travel to such beautiful locations, and maybe find love in an unexpected place. It inspired me and I'm sure others to come out of their shell and live a little.
The casting and acting in this film were so well done. Selena Gomez did a great job as Grace, but I was especially impressed by Katie Cassidy & Leighton Meester's roles as Emma and Meg. The supporting actors also did a phenomenal job with their acting: Pierre Boulanger did beautifully as Theo, Luke Bracey (who I fell in love with after seeing this film) was wonderful as Riley, Cory Monteith (Rest in peace) made us crush and sympathize with Owen, and Catherine Tate brought all the ferocity and chique-ness as aunt Alicia. All of these people did a really awesome job bringing their characters to life and each added a special charm that the audience could enjoy and identify with.
The cinematography was beautiful, spoiling us with breathtaking shots of Paris and Monte Carlo. The editing style was also very entertaining and greatly contributed to the overall essence of the film. The big band, jazzy, parisian score for the film composed by Michael Giacchino, in combination with the perfectly placed pop songs was the butter on the bread. It was responsible for making us understand what the characters were feeling and in turn made us feel a certain way during the scenes.
And let's not forget the overall story. It was the tale of an average girl who has her fairytale adventure and though this doesn't happen in real life (it is a move after all), it wasn't so far-fetched that one would roll their eyes.
So please, don't listen to the people who dared give this sweet film a 5 star rating. Like I said, it's not an oscar nom, but it's certainly well deserving of a solid 7-7.5.
The casting and acting in this film were so well done. Selena Gomez did a great job as Grace, but I was especially impressed by Katie Cassidy & Leighton Meester's roles as Emma and Meg. The supporting actors also did a phenomenal job with their acting: Pierre Boulanger did beautifully as Theo, Luke Bracey (who I fell in love with after seeing this film) was wonderful as Riley, Cory Monteith (Rest in peace) made us crush and sympathize with Owen, and Catherine Tate brought all the ferocity and chique-ness as aunt Alicia. All of these people did a really awesome job bringing their characters to life and each added a special charm that the audience could enjoy and identify with.
The cinematography was beautiful, spoiling us with breathtaking shots of Paris and Monte Carlo. The editing style was also very entertaining and greatly contributed to the overall essence of the film. The big band, jazzy, parisian score for the film composed by Michael Giacchino, in combination with the perfectly placed pop songs was the butter on the bread. It was responsible for making us understand what the characters were feeling and in turn made us feel a certain way during the scenes.
And let's not forget the overall story. It was the tale of an average girl who has her fairytale adventure and though this doesn't happen in real life (it is a move after all), it wasn't so far-fetched that one would roll their eyes.
So please, don't listen to the people who dared give this sweet film a 5 star rating. Like I said, it's not an oscar nom, but it's certainly well deserving of a solid 7-7.5.
Suddenly a star
kosmasp5 March 2012
That's more or less the translation of the German title the movie got. And while it does prove to be right (about the plot), it is most certainly not right about the experience you'll have watching this. Unless you are teenage girl that is and just like the magic of it all, this will more likely offend your every sense. The jokes can be seen from a mile of, at least.
There is a sense that there was no acting allowed on the set and it also feels as if they had a checklist of every possible cliché they could find. While this makes it painfully obvious that I wasn't the target audience, it's still no excuse for the poor execution. Even if the cast seemed to have the time of their life, it doesn't translate into a good movie
There is a sense that there was no acting allowed on the set and it also feels as if they had a checklist of every possible cliché they could find. While this makes it painfully obvious that I wasn't the target audience, it's still no excuse for the poor execution. Even if the cast seemed to have the time of their life, it doesn't translate into a good movie
A perfect Fairy Tale with Perfect Ending
michaelzstuff3 June 2012
What is wrong with you people???? I just read the review from the guy that said it had been done before. Duh, can you think of any movie that's NEVER been done before? What a stupid statement to make about such a cute, romantic movie. And for the record, I would love to have this buffalo head show me a movie like this one. Clever, clever story, great writing, great acting, excellent photography, just an all around sweet movie. The girls were especially great and I referred it to ten of my friends who all gave it a thumbs up. So, please, don't listen to that Wlly Nilly and go see this movie. It was my idea of a perfect date movie and my wife loved and my friends loved it. What's not to love. A perfect little romantic comedy.
Light hearted
greekdx21 August 2023
Another movie seen in random from Netflix yesterday starring Selena Gomez in double role and a few more . Less unknown to me. A typical romcom filmed in Paris showing a few f the most known moments of the city. I was there on late 80s.
The movie is slightly funny. The fist funny scene was driving the group members inside the city at a high speed making finally the 3 friends lose the bus when they were in the Eiffel tower Also a simple plot inside the city and how they found themselves living for short time in Monte Carlo Fancy yourself Grace touring with her stepsister Megi and her best friend Emma leaving USA for a vacation trip in Paris and by good chance taking the position of her twin Grace and finally all of them living good adventure and life in Monte Carlo . In the next Friday Grace's twin coming the city to show a extremely expensive necklace finding it was lost... and now please see the movie . The best point was in the end !
Relatively fast paced a poor comedy with limited funny cases light hearted story bot good to watch with pop corn!
6/1- joyful story.
The movie is slightly funny. The fist funny scene was driving the group members inside the city at a high speed making finally the 3 friends lose the bus when they were in the Eiffel tower Also a simple plot inside the city and how they found themselves living for short time in Monte Carlo Fancy yourself Grace touring with her stepsister Megi and her best friend Emma leaving USA for a vacation trip in Paris and by good chance taking the position of her twin Grace and finally all of them living good adventure and life in Monte Carlo . In the next Friday Grace's twin coming the city to show a extremely expensive necklace finding it was lost... and now please see the movie . The best point was in the end !
Relatively fast paced a poor comedy with limited funny cases light hearted story bot good to watch with pop corn!
6/1- joyful story.
"Monte Carlo" Shrouded in Disbelief and Lame Contrivances
changmoh27 June 2011
The main plot of "Monte Carlo" deals with high school student and part-time waitress Grace (Selena Gomez) who has always dreamed of going to Paris, France, with her best friend Emma (Katie Cassidy). However, as luck would have it, her uptight stepsister Meg (Leighton Meester) also tags along for the trip which turns out to be a huge disappointment.
Things change when the trio pop into a five-star hotel and Grace is mistaken for a spoilt and wealthy British socialite. The three friends are then whisked off to Monte Carlo where they have to attend a charity ball, meet the men of their dreams - and get involved in the case of a missing multi-million-dollar necklace! As soon as the girls get to Paris, the movie is shrouded in a pervasive mood of disbelief, sloppily contrived events and 'convenient' coincidences. Even if we accept the odds that Grace gets to meet her lookalike Cordelia Winthrop Scott (also Gomez) at a place and time when Cordelia plans to 'disappear', we are 'forced' to accept many other ridiculous plot contrivances - just so that the mistaken identity caper can run its course. Indeed, the storyline is reminiscent of a host of other mistaken identity tales - and it is utterly predictable. Ditto that for its love stories (each of the girls have one).
Monte Carlo is obviously another vehicle for Disney starlet and singer Selena Gomez (after last year's "Ramona & Beezuz"). While it is obvious that Gomez has great potential as an actress, she doesn't exploit her talents here. There is little chemistry between her Grace and Theo (Pierre Boulanger) and her portrayal of Cordelia borders on 'campy'. Meester fares better as the cautious Meg; at least her relationship with Aussie Riley (Luke Bracey) has its sparks. Glee's Corey Monteith is largely wasted as Emma's boyfriend, Owen. The technical credits are okay but not the movie, though. It kinda sucks.
Things change when the trio pop into a five-star hotel and Grace is mistaken for a spoilt and wealthy British socialite. The three friends are then whisked off to Monte Carlo where they have to attend a charity ball, meet the men of their dreams - and get involved in the case of a missing multi-million-dollar necklace! As soon as the girls get to Paris, the movie is shrouded in a pervasive mood of disbelief, sloppily contrived events and 'convenient' coincidences. Even if we accept the odds that Grace gets to meet her lookalike Cordelia Winthrop Scott (also Gomez) at a place and time when Cordelia plans to 'disappear', we are 'forced' to accept many other ridiculous plot contrivances - just so that the mistaken identity caper can run its course. Indeed, the storyline is reminiscent of a host of other mistaken identity tales - and it is utterly predictable. Ditto that for its love stories (each of the girls have one).
Monte Carlo is obviously another vehicle for Disney starlet and singer Selena Gomez (after last year's "Ramona & Beezuz"). While it is obvious that Gomez has great potential as an actress, she doesn't exploit her talents here. There is little chemistry between her Grace and Theo (Pierre Boulanger) and her portrayal of Cordelia borders on 'campy'. Meester fares better as the cautious Meg; at least her relationship with Aussie Riley (Luke Bracey) has its sparks. Glee's Corey Monteith is largely wasted as Emma's boyfriend, Owen. The technical credits are okay but not the movie, though. It kinda sucks.
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