Sydney White (2007)

36% of critics liked it
(83 reviews)
74% of users liked it
(774,722 ratings)

After pledging her late mother's once-dignified sorority, a college freshman aligns herself with seven social outcasts in an attempt to influence change over the school's flawed social hierarchy in this comedy starring Amanda Bynes. College freshman Sydney White (Bynes) has just arrived at Southern… More After pledging her late mother's once-dignified sorority, a college freshman aligns herself with seven social outcasts in an attempt to influence change over the school's flawed social hierarchy in this comedy starring Amanda Bynes. College freshman Sydney White (Bynes) has just arrived at Southern Atlantic University ready and eager to pledge her late mother's sorority. Once upon a time, this sorority was dignified and respected, but that pristine reputation has been tarnished now that blonde tyrant Rachel (Sara Paxton) has taken over as student council president. After surviving the sorority's vigorous pledging process, Syd is quickly banished for daring to question Rachel's regime. Now left with nowhere to go but a condemned house on the edge of Greek Row, the dejected and rejected pledge quickly makes friends with seven of the biggest social outcasts on campus. But while these socially challenged frat boys may not be much to look at, it gradually becomes apparent to Syd that they all have their fair share of admirable qualities -- especially love-struck super-geek Tyler (Matt Long). Perhaps if these nerdy frat boys and their new queen could successfully shake up the system by staging a successful takeover of the student government, they could restore the once-proud reputation of this prestigious university and offer a glimmer of hope to campus geeks everywhere! ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Joe Nussbaum
Written By: Chad Gomez Creasey
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 21, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Jan 22, 2008
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
A lot of the acting is in the broad Disney Channel style.
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
A perky and chaste Y.A. update on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
One of the dopiest, goofiest, and yes, I guess you can say, sneezy-ist and sleepy-ist, movies of the year.
Lael Loewenstein, Variety
...should satisfy Bynes fans looking for a pleasant, innocuous follow-up to her last vehicle.
Laura Kern, New York Times
Ms. Bynes, with her cherubic face, expressive eyes and comic timing, helps create a positive, pleasing diversion that caters to the geek in all of us.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Sydney White's message of embracing all kinds of people and not quaking in fear of the elite and popular is a sound one, but each twist and turn is so telegraphed and expected that the story feels wan and the comedy feeble.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...Sydney White's astounding lack of positive attributes cements its place as an utterly worthless endeavor.
Jeff Bayer, The Scorecard Review
Sydney helps a group of geeks with the most mundane tasks, such as tying shoes, and waking up and there isn't one ounce of believability in the journey.
Amy Nicholson, I.E. Weekly
This surprisingly clever coed reworking of Snow White does for dorks what Revenge of the Nerds did for, well, you know.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
rather clever! Bynes is her usual bubbly, entertaining-self
Christian Toto, Washington Times
Audiences will identify more with Sydney White's misfit cast than its bland leading lady.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Strictly for teenage girls, Sydney White is not totally without charms, but is too breathless, too cheesy and far too dorky to leave a favourable impact.
, Total Film
A Grimm prospect for fairytale traditionalists, but breezy enough to stop tweens feeling sleepy.
Michael Ferraro, Bronsonfive
Younger teenage girls will probably love this but anyone older or younger than that demographic is going to be pretty bored.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
A cross of Revenge of the Nerds and In & Out, both of which celebrated the ultimate triumph of underdogs, geeks in the former, gays in the latter.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
A decent vehicle for Bynes.
Bruce Bennett, Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
Despite a predictable and formulaic storyline, there are enough genuine laugh-inducing moments... that Sydney White is rarely boring if not exactly fresh or original.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
I look forward to when Bynes graduates to more mature and sophisticated comedy.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassie H

I loved this movie,and Amanda Bynes is such a great actress!!!!!!!!!!! The story itself is great & even my dad likes this movie lol :) :) :)
Bethany M

It was ok, but not Amanda Bynes at her best.
Manu G

It was allright, funny at times, the story is quite boring though. If you've seen Revenge of the Nerds, all the way down to the line "I'm in love with a nerd/dork", then you've seen this movie already. Sydney White has grown up amongst construction workers… More
It was allright, funny at times, the story is quite boring though. If you've seen Revenge of the Nerds, all the way down to the line "I'm in love with a nerd/dork", then you've seen this movie already. Sydney White has grown up amongst construction workers ever since her mother died (when she was 9). She earns a scholarship for college and hopes to follow in the footsteps of her mother and enter the Kappa sorority. When she realized the sorority life wasn't for her, she moved out of the house and moved into "The Vortex,"(Which is called Vortex because it sucks in losers) a house on Greek Row for people who don't belong. There, she meets 7 dorks (the 7 dwarves). She realizes what great people they are, and she gets one of them, Terrance, to run for Student Body President in order to take back what the Greeks have had for so long. When those dreams are denied (Terrance has already graduated), Sydney runs for president herself.
Richard C

C
Dead A

The story line is similar to "Snow White and the seven dwarfs". What irritates me is when people watch a girl like she's goddess or something but this girl is no near that kinda part. They should have picked someone more beautiful similar to Snow White. The story was… More
The story line is similar to "Snow White and the seven dwarfs". What irritates me is when people watch a girl like she's goddess or something but this girl is no near that kinda part. They should have picked someone more beautiful similar to Snow White. The story was okay. You can watch it if you want. It's not in my recommendation.
Red L

The movie "Sydney White" is a pretty good version of the tomboy-not-fitting-in-but-is-an-outstanding-person movie. After being kicked out of her sorority, Sydney takes up with seven losers - ala Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Of course in this fairy tale, Sydney defeats… More
The movie "Sydney White" is a pretty good version of the tomboy-not-fitting-in-but-is-an-outstanding-person movie. After being kicked out of her sorority, Sydney takes up with seven losers - ala Snow White and the seven dwarfs. Of course in this fairy tale, Sydney defeats the snarky witch and everybody goes home feeling happy.
Luke B

Typical tween college comedy where the big lesson is to be yourself and accept others. ClichÃ©d characters and predictable situations ensue. Luckily the Snow White twists add some harmless fun and the good nature makes it a very good family film. The real success lies in the casting… More
Typical tween college comedy where the big lesson is to be yourself and accept others. ClichÃ©d characters and predictable situations ensue. Luckily the Snow White twists add some harmless fun and the good nature makes it a very good family film. The real success lies in the casting of the 7 dorks. Real comedic talents have been chosen and these are comedic talents with acting chops. Sam Levine really shines and it's good to know he will get some extreme exposure in Tarantino's Inglourios Basterds. Bynes is her usual awkward, bubbly self. The film has funny moments, lines and has an excellent dynamic between cast members.
Lewis C

Tell me if this sounds familiar. A kind-hearted outsider comes to a college or high school and leads a group of misfits to victory over the stuck-up, popular kids. This is the exact plot of tons of movies, including Sydney White. The writers of the movie tried to add some uniqueness… More
Tell me if this sounds familiar. A kind-hearted outsider comes to a college or high school and leads a group of misfits to victory over the stuck-up, popular kids. This is the exact plot of tons of movies, including Sydney White. The writers of the movie tried to add some uniqueness to the movie by adding in a few references to Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, but beyond a few last names, this isn't very noticeable. It certainly doesn't make up for the fact that most of the jokes fall flat. Your enjoyment of Sydney White will probably depend directly on how much you like Amanda Bynes. I think that she is a lovely young lady and usually very funny, but this film feels like a step backwards after the much funnier She's the Man. Maybe it's time for Amanda to try out a few different kinds of roles until a comedy that truly lets her shine comes along.
Jennifer X

Pretty much what I expected from it. Amanda Bynes is not as annoying as I thought and, this movie, although not particularly intelligent, can be quite entertaining. I'm kinda upset about the dearth of goodlooking people though...because they had to cast people uglier than Amanda… More
Pretty much what I expected from it. Amanda Bynes is not as annoying as I thought and, this movie, although not particularly intelligent, can be quite entertaining. I'm kinda upset about the dearth of goodlooking people though...because they had to cast people uglier than Amanda Bynes, which is actually kinda hard. (no offense)
Chris W

Interesting take on Snow White that is funny and charming, despite being predictable and cliched in the extreme. This would get a lower rating if I didn't like Amanda Bynes.
Bruce B

Not a bad film, more of a film for those between 16-24. It was enjoyable, I usually don't even watch these teen movies but did enjoy this one.
Dean M

Great college campus comedy and there are some inspired moments in this film, with all manner of <i>Snow White</i> references wedged in. Just wait until you see the 'poisoned apple' sequence - it's very, very clever! Amanda Bynes is bubbly and entertaining… More
Great college campus comedy and there are some inspired moments in this film, with all manner of <i>Snow White</i> references wedged in. Just wait until you see the 'poisoned apple' sequence - it's very, very clever! Amanda Bynes is bubbly and entertaining as the title in this funky and funny flick!
Nicki M

Likeable enough teen movie, similar in theme to "A cinderella story" or "Mean Girls". I tend to like Amanda Bynes, so I didn't mind this, although it was certainly one of her weaker films. Good performances from her and Sara Paxton.
danny d

this was a massively entertaining movie. bynes was adorable as usual and although the film was not great and wasnt trying to be, it was alot of fun.
Sanjaya &

A pretty good teenagers movie... It entertains and gave a great advise... Even Amanda Bynes still plays with her usual and ordinary acting, but the story was pretty good... A great transcripting from a classic movie Snow White into an urban teens movie Sydney White... Seven Dorks and… More
A pretty good teenagers movie... It entertains and gave a great advise... Even Amanda Bynes still plays with her usual and ordinary acting, but the story was pretty good... A great transcripting from a classic movie Snow White into an urban teens movie Sydney White... Seven Dorks and the prince? And then she awake with a kiss? I really can't imagine that way... So I guess that this movie really are not just ordinary movie... Watch it, it's pretty damn good!
Byron B

Similar to the Revenge of the Nerds theme and it didn't take multiple sequels to show the pretty boy and the biggest ogre of a jock are dorks at heart too. There were even seven main nerds in Lamda Lamda Lamda. It's cheesy and silly at times, but I enjoyed it for the… More
Similar to the Revenge of the Nerds theme and it didn't take multiple sequels to show the pretty boy and the biggest ogre of a jock are dorks at heart too. There were even seven main nerds in Lamda Lamda Lamda. It's cheesy and silly at times, but I enjoyed it for the characterizations of the seven dorks, and it's interesting to see how they make reference to every possible part of the Snow White story! Still, now I realize that Accepted is better.
Dannielle A

What can I say? It was DORKY! But it didn't hide behind any presumptions that it wasn't. I went into it knowing full-well that it would be dorky, and so I rate it on its own terms: it was a pretty good dorky movie.
Joseph E

It was pretty good, and I laughed here and there, but it was really cheesy, and boring after the first half-and-hour. Disspointed? Well, schucks, yea? High hopes down the drain, and I guess it makes some insane..when the film they want to be good, turns out to be bad, but atleast… More
It was pretty good, and I laughed here and there, but it was really cheesy, and boring after the first half-and-hour. Disspointed? Well, schucks, yea? High hopes down the drain, and I guess it makes some insane..when the film they want to be good, turns out to be bad, but atleast not that bad, I guess.
Deb S

Sydney White is the offspring of Snow White and Revenge of the Nerd but instead of dwarfs, it has dorks and the movie takes place on a college campus. If you're looking for a cute and charming movie with a lot of harmless fun, this will hit the spot. It?s an adorable little film… More
Sydney White is the offspring of Snow White and Revenge of the Nerd but instead of dwarfs, it has dorks and the movie takes place on a college campus. If you're looking for a cute and charming movie with a lot of harmless fun, this will hit the spot. It?s an adorable little film that is sweet, has heart, and the heroine has a passion for doing the right thing. Sometimes we just need that spunk. Amanda Bynes plays Sydney--a nice girl who has a dream of going to her dead mother's university and joining the same sorority. However, once there, it turns out the sorority is ruled with self-absorbed girl, Rachel. Rachel does all she can to make Sydney's life miserable and eventually has her kicked out. Despondent and in the rain, with her stuff and no place to stay, the geeky '7 dorks' take her into their house on campus which is in dire need of repairs. From then on Sydney tries to win a debate against Rachel to help the Greeks keep their house and prevent the higher bar of picking on the little dorks any longer.
Yinalí R

This was a very refreshing movie. Very entertaining and worth watching anywhere.