First Daughter (2004)

8% of critics liked it
(84 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(70,231 ratings)

A very special student deals with exams, first love, and national security issues in this teen-oriented romantic comedy-drama. Samantha MacKenzie (Katie Holmes) is a seemingly ordinary college freshman with one important exception -- her father happens to be the President of the United States… More A very special student deals with exams, first love, and national security issues in this teen-oriented romantic comedy-drama. Samantha MacKenzie (Katie Holmes) is a seemingly ordinary college freshman with one important exception -- her father happens to be the President of the United States (Michael Keaton). Samantha, however, would prefer to be as inconspicuous as possible as she begins her studies at Redmond University, so she asks a favor of her father -- remove the two Secret Service agents who follow her everywhere, and allow her to fend for herself at school. The president agrees, but out of concern for her safety, he sends in a young undercover agent, James (Marc Blucas), who will pose as the Resident Advisor at her dorm to keep an eye on her. Samantha and James strike up a fast friendship that grows into a romance, but when Samantha discovers the truth about James, she wonders if his love for her is real or just part of his cover. First Daughter was directed by actor-turned-director Forest Whitaker. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Forest Whitaker
Written By: Kate Kondell, Jessica Bendinger
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 24, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Jan 25, 2005
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Yet another teen-princess fantasy.
Ben Kenigsberg, Village Voice
First Daughter is less amusing than Jenna and Barb at the RNC, and dumb enough to make last January's presidential scion, Mandy Moore, look electable.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
...just has a really cheesy look.
Susan Walker, Toronto Star
First Daughter presents such a saccharine-sweet, insufferably boring portrait of a conservative president and his family, it could kill with kindness.
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
First Daughter falters from the start in assuming an audience fascination with political progeny.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Not even Holmes can elevate this pap.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Very predictable, but tween girls may like it.
Mary Lasse, Christianity Today
Perhaps the only redeeming factor is that both the President and the First Lady are devoted to their daughter. Otherwise, this film should be impeached.
Betsy Bozdech, Hollywood.com
Sweet but unremarkable, First Daughter is never quite as cute as its star.
, Time Out
The President's little girl gets a pity party for the second time this election year.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
[A] gimmick-driven disaster.
Lucy Aitken, Empire Magazine
Holmes' wholesome charm keeps the movie afloat, but only just.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
I would expect a lot worse when the film comes from the mind of Jerry O'Connell. I hope he doesn't quit his day job.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
If you must see one of the two Presidential daughter movies - this is the one to see. But like Chasing Liberty, it never delivers on the potential of the premise.
Stella Papamichael, BBC
This stunning lack of inspiration is reflected in a script that continually hints at how teenagers have become disenchanted with politics without ever following it up.

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Red L

Mush again. Same story, but worse than "Chasing Liberty"
Bethany M

Don't really like Katie Holmes as an actress but Marc Blucas was incredibly gorgeous. Made me give the film a full star. Otherwise, it's just a crappy remake of Chasing Liberty which in my opinion was miles better than this film.
Sarah G

Two words.....Marc Blucas ^_^ I forgot what the rest of the film was about.....
Nani V

She sucked in this movie. I hated the ending...[disgusted]
Rachel F

It was decent enough.
Dean M

Beautiful and good comedy with Katie Holmes as I believe she's still the same person as a reality actress on her currently real life as well as her character in this film with her real fashions and lifestyles.
E.J. B

Where to begin?
Sarah B

Okay, it may be directed by Forest Whitaker (future Oscar winner), it may have as the president Michael Keaton (well past his movie prime) and it may feature as the love interest that bloke from Buffy (totally wet), but it is no where near as good as the far superior (and one of my… More
Okay, it may be directed by Forest Whitaker (future Oscar winner), it may have as the president Michael Keaton (well past his movie prime) and it may feature as the love interest that bloke from Buffy (totally wet), but it is no where near as good as the far superior (and one of my favourite films of this type) Chasing Liberty. Plus the insipid Katie Holmes fresh from the insipid Dawson's Creek and now the insipid wife of Tom Cruise has none of the lovable attitude, effortless kooky charm and boundless charisma that Mandy Moore has. (no there is no sarcasm in that sentence) How this film buried Chasing Liberty, I don't know, except... all of the superficial stuff from the first sentence, and probably in the same way Armageddon buried Deep Impact, two films with similar storylines coming out at the same time, star power will always win out...
Quinto W

A lifeless piece of utter garbage and painful boredom; Katie Holmes looks half-asleep in every scene.
Lee K

Meh! the wife liked it more then i did.
Janice :

WTH? Awful. Totally AWFUL.
Miriam K

A CUTE FILM FOR TEENAGE GIRLS.
Rose G

i have always liked katie holmes ever since her dawson's creek days. i just hope she gets to land movie roles that would allow her to show her acting potential.

Read all 13 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Katie Holmes as Samantha

            Marc Blucas as James

            Amerie Rogers as Mia

            Margaret Colin as Melanie Mackenzie

            Lela Rochon as Liz Pappas

            Michael Keaton as President Mackenzie

            Forest Whitaker as Narrator

            Natalie Core as Lady With Camera

            Jay Leno as Himself

            Barry Livingston as Press Secretary

            Michael Milhoan as Agent Bock

            Ann Ryerson as Nurse Practitioner

            Oren Waters as Singer at White House

            Damon Whitaker as Charles

            Peter White as College Dean

            Joan Rivers as Herself

            Gunther Jensen as Football Coach

            Guy Maeda as Singer at White House

            Dwayne Adway as Agent Dylan

            Marilyn McIntyre as Teacher at Party

            Dan Brinkle as Caucus Host

            Ken Moreno as Agent Mercer

            Jeff Michael as News Reporter

            Johnny Sneed as English Professor

            Parry Shen as Rally Leader

            Scott Hamm as Frat Guy With Water Gun

            Philip Boyd as Frank

            Austin Priester as Dancing Frat Guy

            Hollis Hill as Agent Colvin

            Freddy Bouciegues as Dancing Frat Guy

            Bobbi Page as Singer at White House

            Andy Umberger as Secret Service Supervisor

            Adam Donshik as First Lady's Chief of Staff

            Steve Tom as Senator Downer

            Maria Quiban as White House Reporter #1

            Toby Moore as Frat Guy #2

            Sheila Shaw as Health Center Receptionist

            Melissa Rivers as Herself

            Ryan Raddatz as Frat Guy #1

            Michael-Ann Connor as Protestor #1

            Andrew Caple-Shaw as Agent Dryer

            Ted Garcia as White House Reporter #2

            Piper Cochrane as Communications Director

            Brian Andrew Smith as Guy on Street

            Kent Shocknek as Contentious Reporter

            Andrea Avery as Linda Patterson

            Alex Avant as Shift Leader

            Katrina Connor as Sorority Gal #1

            Teck Holmes as Mia's Flame

            Sophia Chang as Sorority Gal #2

            Justine Wachsberger as Passing Student

            Mane Andrew as Mia's Visitor

            Tim Liles as Reporter on Street

            Nicole Avant as Protestor #2

            Tore Birkedal as Pizza Guy

            Sonnet Noel Whitaker as Laughing Girl

            Grecco Buratto as Band at Frat Party

            Sean Householder as Band at Frat Party

            Ed Delmark as Band at Frat Party

            Bryan Kelling as Band at Frat Party

            Enoch Asmuth as Singer at White House

            Drew Harrah as Singer at White House

            Scott Dicken as Singer at White House

            Tonoccus McClain as Singer at White House

            Tim Davis as Singer at White House
See full cast