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Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!

Small-Town Girl Gets Chance with Hunky Hollywood Heartthrob in Sweet Romantic Comedy

By:  Kam  Williams

 ‘Tad Hamilton’ (Josh Duhamel) is a movie star in dire need of an instant makeover. This adored teen idol's squeaky-clean image has been tarnished by some of his own anti-social antics, which have left his name mentioned in gossip columns and his face splattered across tabloid covers.

His agent (Nathan Lane) and his manager (Sean Hayes), both named Richard Levy, decide it's time to stage a publicity stunt to restore their client's bad-boy reputation. This proves to be lucky for Tad's number one fan, Rosalee Futch (Kate Bosworth), as their plan is to conduct a nationwide contest in which the winner wins a date with Tad. Otherwise, there's no way this check-out clerk at a West Virginia Piggly-Wiggly could ever hope to meet the hunky Hollywood heartthrob whose posters are plastered all over her bedroom walls.

With the grudging approval of her boss, Pete (Topher Grace), and the help of her fellow cashier/best friend Cathy (Ginnifer Feely), the Pringles-popping Rosalee raises the entry fee from customers right at the store’s check-out counter. After sending in the application form, it's only a ‘movie minute’ later before, lo and behold, she's the one out of a million, who is picked for a romantic rendezvous with the handsome movie star.

That's the premise of "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!," a pleasantly refreshing comedy from Robert Luketic. The film marks the sophomore offering from the director, whose debut pic, "Legally Blonde," enjoyed a $100+ million payday. Understandably, he's back with another flick aimed at the prepubescent set, though this one can also be easily enjoyed by the young at heart. The title character's name is likely fashioned from a combination of "Tab" Hunter and George "Hamilton," actors who set another generation of admirer's hearts aflutter.

The front story unravels as an obvious Cinderella tale, with the confirmed bachelor actually falling for the wholesome, milk-bred beauty after their tasteful date in L.A. The smitten Tad announces that he is fed up with Tinseltown, and follows Rosalee back to West Virginia, over the objections of the greedy Levys who don't care a bit about his emotional needs. Tad buys a big farm, and it looks like happily-ever-after for the cozy couple until a longtime secret admirer of Rosalee's finally works up the nerve to throw a monkey wrench into the works. Of note are the irrepressible Nathan Lane who steals all his scenes as the overbearing agent and ‘celebutante’ Paris "Am-I- aAnnoying?" Hilton who cameos in an insignificant role. Josh Duhamel does a decent job as the ‘himbo,’ while Topher Grace shines as the unassuming odd man out. But the film is carried by the green-eyed/blue-eyed Bosworth, as she again conveys that endearing vulnerability she exhibited in "Blue Crush" (2002). To note, "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!" is puppy love at its most bearable. 

Excellent (3.5 stars) Rated PG-13 for expletives, sexual content and drug references.  

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