Monte Carlo…..Illuminates some of Classic Hollywood
This 
romantic comedy follows three girls as one is mistaken as a British heir and the group is whisked away to Monte Carlo and go on several adventures along the way.
The film starts out as Grace (Selena Gomez) works the typical small town job, a waitress. We soon find out that she has been saving up throughout high school for the trip of a lifetime, Paris and is almost there–high school is almost over. We also meet Emma (Katie Cassidy), the small town woman who dropped out of high school to make it big but found herself back in the same small town. It’s not too bad for her with the friendship she has with Grace and the long time boyfriend, mechanic Owen (Cory Monteith).
The day of graduation is soon here and we’re soon introduced to the last of the three young woman, step sister Meg (Leighton Meester). We quickly realize that Meg is much more reserved than her adventurous step sister and her free-spirited friend. As they soon find themselves jetting off to Paris, Grace’s mom (Andie MacDowell) warns her daughter about her trip:
“It’s not magic. It won’t turn you into a different person.”
We soon find however that the trip does turn her into a different person, in a case of mistaken identity.
After a whirlwind of rushed sightseeing, they are soon left at the Eiffel Tower. As they desperately try to head back to their roach motel Emma is mistaken as the heiress, Cordelia Winthrop Scott. After spending the night they find themselves having to play along so they aren’t caught and are sent to Monte Carlo where Emma helps a charity the heiress is supposed to help to appease her parents.
Throughout their time in Europe, Meg begins to break out of her shell as she continues to run into and eventually falls in love with hot Aussie, Riley (Luke Bracey). Emma realizes that the big time of being glamorous and famous isn’t the image she thought it was and how her love for Owen is true. Grace also finds love with classy and humanitarian Theo (Pierre Boulanger) and realizes the impact she can have with people in need just by being herself.
There is definitely humor, romance, adventure, intrigue and classic hollywood magic throughout this movie. Much of the music soundtrack has 40-50s styling which definitely helps bring out the classic themes. The setting of this movie brings out the Classic Hollywood flair even more. As I watched the scenes play I was drawn to remember watching To Catch A Thief, starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Many of the same locations are used and this classic movie is even played in one scene.
I took my ten-year old sister expecting this to be more of a tween movie, but as the movie progressed I found that this movie illuminates many of the classic Hollywood elements I love. I hope that this might bring a trend for future movies.
