ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night is the nominal inspiration for She's The Man, a largely fatuous but occasionally rewarding comedy that relocates the Bard's convoluted tale of gender-swapping in Illyria to an all-American high school. Amanda Bynes (What A Girl Wants) is the spunky teen who disguises herself as a boy to play soccer, only to fall for her dashing fellow player (Channing Tatum). Tootsie-style complications ensue in a harmless frolic clearly shooting for the same demographic as 10 Things I Hate About You.

"If you want to chase your dreams, you've got to break the rules!" says resourceful centre-forward Viola (Bynes), a philosophy that sees her take her brother's place at his elite new prep school in geeky guy get-up. Okay, so her macho swagger ("Check out the booty on that blondie!") rings a little false. But her silky skills on the football pitch silence the sceptics, with even coach Vinnie Jones (yes, you did read that right) deceived by her subterfuge.

"FARCICAL ELEMENTS"

The problems start when our cross-dressing heroine gets a female admirer. Director Andy Fickman quickly kicks any gay subtext into touch, though, opting to focus on the plot's more farcical elements and the fresh-faced appeal of his young cast. Bynes tackles her part with gusto, while Tatum underplays his to striking effect. One thing, though: if you're going to make a movie about football, at least learn the rules. Since when can a player be substituted in the first half, only to be reinstated in the second?