First Daughter (2004 film)
Encyclopedia
First Daughter is a 2004 American romantic comedy released by 20th Century Fox
. It stars Katie Holmes
as Samantha MacKenzie, daughter of the President of the United States, who enrolls at a college and develops a relationship with another student at the college played by Marc Blucas
. The film follows the sensual Samantha as she is given a new sense of freedom during her time away from the White House, and the advantages and disadvantages of her college life and education. It co-stars Michael Keaton
as the President of the United States and Amerie Rogers
as Samantha's roommate.
The film was directed by Forest Whitaker
, written by Jessica Bendinger
, Kate Kondell, and Jerry O'Connell
, and produced by John Davis. Whitaker likened First Daughter to a fairy tale
, characterizing it as "the story of a princess who leaves the 'castle' [the White House] to go out in the world to discover who and what she is." The film had languished in "development hell
" for several years, and was further delayed even after its completion. But it was not a commercial success upon its eventual release, and reviews criticized its bland storyline, the cloying direction, and an unconvincing performance from Katie Holmes.
), the President's daughter, has been in the public eye her whole life. She has recently spent a sheltered existence in the White House with her father (Michael Keaton
), who is usually too busy to look after his daughter. Accompanied by Secret Service
agents everywhere she goes, including the ladies room, Samantha finally believes she has the chance to break out of her cocoon when she is given the opportunity to attend college.
Though still followed by Secret Service agents, Samantha at last feels as if she is leading a normal life. She ends up sharing a dorm with crazed Mia (Amerie), and the two instantly strike up a begrudging partnership. In a classroom, Samantha meets James (Blucas), who Samantha feels is the icing on the cake of her new life at the college. But there is more to James than she initially thought, and Samantha must learn that the two sides of her life do not have to be separate from each other in order for her entire life to be content.
James is a Secret Service agent, undercover as a college student, who is in love with Samantha MacKenzie.
sold a screenplay he had written to Regency Enterprises
for a six figure sum, with O'Connell also intending to star in the film. Originally to shoot in the summer of that year, the project was pushed back to the spring of 2000 (under the direction of Brian Robbins
) to allow O'Connell to film Mission to Mars
, and then Rob Thomas
was hired to rewrite the script. For unknown reasons, the film was not produced at that time, although O'Connell later received a "story by" credit for the film from the Writers Guild of America
. (The film's original producer
, Mike Karz, was also credited as a producer in the final print of the film.)
Filming began on June 2, 2003 on a budget of $
20 million, and continued into July. The film was shot on location in Southern California
. For the film's opening scene where Samantha descending a red-carpeted stairway, the lobby of the Los Angeles Theatre
in Los Angeles
was used, while the auditorium of the building was used for a scene where Samantha and James go to see a movie. On-campus scenes were shot at UCLA. The Huntington Library in San Marino
stood in for the exterior of the building in the first scene.
. Indeed, Chasing Liberty's working title was First Daughter. This plot too involved the President's daughter trying to experience life away from the White House
. Like Chasing Liberty, the film was not well received by critics.
The film was a financial failure. Opening in fifth place at the box office, First Daughter ended up with just $9.1 million in domestic ticket sales and $10.4 million worldwide. It was Katie Holmes's second least successful mainstream film after Teaching Mrs. Tingle
. The film performed better on home video and DVD, where it made $13.14 million in combined rentals and sales.
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
. It stars Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes
Katherine Noelle "Katie" Holmes is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have included the blockbuster Batman Begins along with art house films such as The Ice Storm and thrillers...
as Samantha MacKenzie, daughter of the President of the United States, who enrolls at a college and develops a relationship with another student at the college played by Marc Blucas
Marc Blucas
Marcus Paul "Marc" Blucas is an American actor, known for playing Riley Finn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.-Early life:...
. The film follows the sensual Samantha as she is given a new sense of freedom during her time away from the White House, and the advantages and disadvantages of her college life and education. It co-stars Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton
Michael John Douglas , better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor known for his early comedic roles, most notably his performance as the title character of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice . Keaton is also famous for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton's...
as the President of the United States and Amerie Rogers
Amerie
Amerie Mi Marie Rogers , known professionally as Amerie or Ameriie, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She debuted in 2002 with the album All I Have, primarily co-written and produced by Rich Harrison, and was well-received in the urban market...
as Samantha's roommate.
The film was directed by Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker
Forest Steven Whitaker is an American actor, producer, and director. He has earned a reputation for intensive character study work for films such as Bird and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, and for his recurring role as ex-LAPD Lieutenant Jon Kavanaugh on the gritty, award-winning television...
, written by Jessica Bendinger
Jessica Bendinger
Jessica Bendinger is an American screenwriter and novelist.She has written several films, including 2000's Bring It On, 2004's First Daughter and 2006's Aquamarine. She was also a writer and creative consultant for Sex and the City as well as a producer of the 2005 film The Wedding Date starring...
, Kate Kondell, and Jerry O'Connell
Jerry O'Connell
Jeremiah "Jerry" O'Connell is an American actor, best known for his roles in the TV series Sliders, Andrew Clements in My Secret Identity, Vern Tessio in the film Stand by Me, Charlie Carbone in Kangaroo Jack, and Detective Woody Hoyt on the drama Crossing Jordan...
, and produced by John Davis. Whitaker likened First Daughter to a fairy tale
Fairy tale
A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
, characterizing it as "the story of a princess who leaves the 'castle' [the White House] to go out in the world to discover who and what she is." The film had languished in "development hell
Development hell
In the jargon of the media-industry, "development hell" is a period during which a film or other project is trapped in development...
" for several years, and was further delayed even after its completion. But it was not a commercial success upon its eventual release, and reviews criticized its bland storyline, the cloying direction, and an unconvincing performance from Katie Holmes.
Plot
Samantha MacKenzie (Katie HolmesKatie Holmes
Katherine Noelle "Katie" Holmes is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have included the blockbuster Batman Begins along with art house films such as The Ice Storm and thrillers...
), the President's daughter, has been in the public eye her whole life. She has recently spent a sheltered existence in the White House with her father (Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton
Michael John Douglas , better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor known for his early comedic roles, most notably his performance as the title character of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice . Keaton is also famous for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton's...
), who is usually too busy to look after his daughter. Accompanied by Secret Service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
agents everywhere she goes, including the ladies room, Samantha finally believes she has the chance to break out of her cocoon when she is given the opportunity to attend college.
Though still followed by Secret Service agents, Samantha at last feels as if she is leading a normal life. She ends up sharing a dorm with crazed Mia (Amerie), and the two instantly strike up a begrudging partnership. In a classroom, Samantha meets James (Blucas), who Samantha feels is the icing on the cake of her new life at the college. But there is more to James than she initially thought, and Samantha must learn that the two sides of her life do not have to be separate from each other in order for her entire life to be content.
James is a Secret Service agent, undercover as a college student, who is in love with Samantha MacKenzie.
Cast
- Samantha MacKenzie (Katie HolmesKatie HolmesKatherine Noelle "Katie" Holmes is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have included the blockbuster Batman Begins along with art house films such as The Ice Storm and thrillers...
) - The President's only daughter, who leaves the White House in Washington, D.C. and heads to California. - James Lansome (Marc BlucasMarc BlucasMarcus Paul "Marc" Blucas is an American actor, known for playing Riley Finn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.-Early life:...
) - A Secret Service agent, undercover as a college student, who is in love with Samantha MacKenzie. - Mia Thompson (Amerie RogersAmerieAmerie Mi Marie Rogers , known professionally as Amerie or Ameriie, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She debuted in 2002 with the album All I Have, primarily co-written and produced by Rich Harrison, and was well-received in the urban market...
) - Samantha's feisty roommate who finds it difficult when Samantha steals her spotlight. - President John MacKenzie (Michael KeatonMichael KeatonMichael John Douglas , better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor known for his early comedic roles, most notably his performance as the title character of Tim Burton's Beetlejuice . Keaton is also famous for his dramatic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton's...
) - Samantha's father, who is also the President of the United States. He has a difficult time letting go of his only daughter. He is also on the road campaigning for his re-election. - First Lady Melanie MacKenzie (Margaret ColinMargaret ColinMargaret Colin is an American actress. She is known for her role as Margo Montgomery Hughes # 1 on As the World Turns and for her role as Eleanor Waldorf-Rose on Gossip Girl.-Early life:...
) - Samantha's mother, who is more willing to let Samantha leave, but she still firmly sticks by her husband's decisions. - Liz Pappas (Lela RochonLela RochonLela Rochon is an American actress who is best known for her role as Robin Stokes in the movie Waiting to Exhale....
) - The President's personal secretary, who is often the caught between Samantha and her father in arguments. - Agent Bock (Michael Milhoan) - One of Samantha's personal Secret Service Agents, who follows her every move.
- Agent Dylan (Dwayne Adway) - Samantha's other soft-spoken personal Secret Service Agent, who along with Agent Bock, protects Samantha while she is attending school.
Production
The film was in development as far back as March 1999, when actor Jerry O'ConnellJerry O'Connell
Jeremiah "Jerry" O'Connell is an American actor, best known for his roles in the TV series Sliders, Andrew Clements in My Secret Identity, Vern Tessio in the film Stand by Me, Charlie Carbone in Kangaroo Jack, and Detective Woody Hoyt on the drama Crossing Jordan...
sold a screenplay he had written to Regency Enterprises
Regency Enterprises
Regency Enterprises is a Los Angeles-based film and television production company formed by Arnon Milchan and Joseph P. Grace. It was founded in 1982 as Embassy International Pictures, but the company name changed to avoid confusion with Norman Lear's Embassy Pictures . Its most successful film is...
for a six figure sum, with O'Connell also intending to star in the film. Originally to shoot in the summer of that year, the project was pushed back to the spring of 2000 (under the direction of Brian Robbins
Brian Robbins
Brian Robbins is an American actor and producer, director and screenwriter. He often collaborates with Mike Tollin.-Biography:...
) to allow O'Connell to film Mission to Mars
Mission to Mars
Mission to Mars is a 2000 science fiction film directed by Brian De Palma from an original screenplay written by Jim Thomas, John Thomas, and Graham Yost. The film's story details a fictional portrayal of a manned Mars exploration mission gone awry in the year 2020...
, and then Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas (writer)
Rob Thomas is an American author, producer, and screenwriter, best known as the author of the 1996 novel Rats Saw God and creator of the critically acclaimed television programs Veronica Mars and Party Down.-Education and early career:Thomas graduated from San Marcos High School in 1983 and went...
was hired to rewrite the script. For unknown reasons, the film was not produced at that time, although O'Connell later received a "story by" credit for the film from the Writers Guild of America
Writers Guild of America
The Writers Guild of America is a generic term referring to the joint efforts of two different US labor unions:* The Writers Guild of America, East , representing TV and film writers East of the Mississippi....
. (The film's original producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
, Mike Karz, was also credited as a producer in the final print of the film.)
Filming began on June 2, 2003 on a budget of $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
20 million, and continued into July. The film was shot on location in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. For the film's opening scene where Samantha descending a red-carpeted stairway, the lobby of the Los Angeles Theatre
Los Angeles Theatre
The Los Angeles Theatre is a 2,000 seat movie palace located at 615 S. Broadway in the historic Broadway Theater and Commercial District in Downtown Los Angeles.-History:...
in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
was used, while the auditorium of the building was used for a scene where Samantha and James go to see a movie. On-campus scenes were shot at UCLA. The Huntington Library in San Marino
San Marino, California
San Marino is a small, affluent city in Los Angeles County, California. Incorporated in 1913, the City founders designed the community to be uniquely residential, with expansive properties surrounded by beautiful gardens, wide streets, and well maintained parkways...
stood in for the exterior of the building in the first scene.
Reception
A number of viewers and reviewers pointed out that the film's plot was very similar to that of the film Chasing LibertyChasing Liberty
Chasing Liberty is a 2004 American romantic comedy film directed by Andy Cadiff, and starring Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode.-Plot:Anna Foster is the daughter of President James Foster and First Lady Michelle Foster . After Secret Service agents ruin a first date, Anna demands some freedom...
. Indeed, Chasing Liberty's working title was First Daughter. This plot too involved the President's daughter trying to experience life away from the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. Like Chasing Liberty, the film was not well received by critics.
The film was a financial failure. Opening in fifth place at the box office, First Daughter ended up with just $9.1 million in domestic ticket sales and $10.4 million worldwide. It was Katie Holmes's second least successful mainstream film after Teaching Mrs. Tingle
Teaching Mrs. Tingle
Teaching Mrs. Tingle is a 1999 black comedy film and the directing debut of screenwriter Kevin Williamson. The film stars Helen Mirren, Katie Holmes, Marisa Coughlan, Barry Watson and Jeffrey Tambor and was released on August 20, 1999. It was originally titled Killing Mrs...
. The film performed better on home video and DVD, where it made $13.14 million in combined rentals and sales.
External links
- Official site
- First Daughter at MetacriticMetacriticMetacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...