The Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003)
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A high school graduate's trip to Rome takes a turn when she is mistaken for a famous pop star.
The story
Lizzie McGuire prepares for her junior-high graduation with her friend Gordo, while their other friend Miranda heads to Mexico City. During the ceremony, Lizzie has a mishap on stage. Afterward, Lizzie and her classmates travel to Rome with a strict chaperone. While visiting the Trevi Fountain, Lizzie is mistaken for the pop star Isabella Parigi by an Italian singer named Paolo. Lizzie agrees to pose as Isabella for a music video awards ceremony, leading to an unexpected adventure where she begins to enjoy the spotlight and develops feelings for Paolo.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After a graduation mishap, Lizzie and her classmates travel to Rome. While at the Trevi Fountain, Lizzie is mistaken for pop star Isabella Parigi by Paolo Valisari. Lizzie agrees to impersonate Isabella for the International Music Video Awards. As she prepares, she begins to enjoy the fame and falls for Paolo. Her friend Kate eventually helps her keep the secret, though her chaperone, Ms. Ungermeyer, becomes suspicious. Gordo takes the blame for some of their antics and is sent home. Meanwhile, Lizzie's brother Matt finds gossip sites about her impersonation and his parents fly to Rome. At the airport, the real Isabella meets Gordo and warns Lizzie that Paolo plans to have her sing live, which would ruin Isabella's career. At the awards, Isabella and Gordo expose Paolo as a lip-syncer. Isabella introduces Lizzie to the crowd, and they perform "What Dreams Are Made Of" together. Lizzie finishes the song solo, gaining confidence. After a celebration where Ms. Ungermeyer rescinds Gordo's punishment, Lizzie and Gordo share a kiss on the roof before rejoining the party.
- First release year
- 2003
- Runtime (minutes)
- 90
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English; Italian
- Directors
- Jim Fall
- Writers
- Susan Estelle Jansen · writer; Ed Decter · writer; John J. Strauss · writer
- Cast and characters
- Hilary Duff · Elizabeth "Lizzie" McGuire and Isabella Parigi; Haylie Duff · Isabella Parigi (singing voice); Adam Lamberg · David "Gordo" Gordon; Robert Carradine · Samuel "Sam" McGuire; Hallie Todd · Joanne "Jo" McGuire; Jake Thomas · Matthew "Matt" McGuire; Yani Gellman · Paolo Valisari; Alex Borstein · Ms. Angela Ungermeyer
- Genres
- teen comedy; adventure comedy; musical comedy; romantic comedy; musical
- Themes
- Identity; Confidence; Friendship
- Tone and mood
- Lighthearted; Musical; Whimsical
- Premise and plot tags
- Lookalike; Musical; Vacation; Teen Romance
- Source material / true-story basis
- Lizzie McGuire television series
- Franchise connections
- Lizzie McGuire
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews upon release but gained a strong cult following in later years. It was described as a harmless piece of fluff that satisfied fans of the TV show.
- Awards and nominations
- Teen Choice Award · Movie Breakout Star, Female · 2003 · won; Teen Choice Awards · Movie Comedy · 2003 · nominated; Teen Choice Awards · Movie Comedy Actress · 2003 · nominated; Leo Award · Feature-Length Drama: Best Visual Effects · 2004 · nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was the first theatrical film based on a Disney Channel property.; The film was shot in widescreen.; The film was the first time New York's Tapehouse Toons worked on a feature film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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