Chasing Liberty

Evolving post-pop-princess Mandy Moore has shown real talent in the three movies she's headlined since becoming an actress. But she has yet to make anything worth watching--except possibly by those who fall into her own demographic of teenage girls. Here she plays the 18-year-old First Daughter of the United States, escaping her suffocating Secret Service contingent on a trip to Europe and embarking on a sightseeing adventure with a yummy fella (handsome Brit Matthew Goode) who--naturally--falls in love with the girl's adorably flirty free spirit. What she doesn't know is that he's also a young Secret Service recruit assigned to keep her safe while letting her think she's on the loose. Obvious from its opening what-to-wear musical montage to its pop love-song finale, the film lacks the charm to overcome its pedestrian direction. But Moore and Goode are eminently watchable, even if they lack compelling romantic chemistry. Optional. [Note: Available in both widescreen and full screen versions, DVD extras include audio commentary by costars Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode, the six-minute behind-the-scenes segment “Passport to Europe,” a four-minute concert performance of “The Seed” by The Roots, nine minutes of additional scenes, a five-minute gag reel, and a trailer. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a so-so film.] (R. Blackwelder)