Flippant television producer, Taylor Mendon (Broderick) has a knack for heavy drinking, drug abuse, and excessive gambling. After starting to turn his life around, his dull lifestyle leads him to gambling on horses, causing his wife (Tierney) to be exasperated at his actions. When he finds out his twenty-year old Niece Amanda (Snow) has a job as a hooker in Las Vegas he promises to send Amanda to rehab, and promises his wife he won't gamble. Unfortunately for Taylor, things don't go exactly as plannedThis is a very minor film that doesn't amount to much in the scheme of things. The script is nowhere near strong enough to ascend like it wants to. That being said, I definitely had a decent time with this movie. The acting is as consummate as you're going to find. It's one of Broderick's quirky projects he made around this time. I'm sure he is set for life with the money he's made, and doesn't exactly need to be a top star these days. This is the type of movie that won't appeal to everyone. For the people who love blockbusters, you'll probably be bored silly. Those that appreciate an above average character study should find at least a fair amount to like here. I would especially recommend this movie to addicts of any kind. Many people have had drug and alcohol issues, especially with gambling. On the downside of things, this movie isn't able to harness the immense potential it has. The relationship between Taylor and Amanda wasn't explored enough for my liking. It all felt cold to me. Matthew Broderick is far too hypocritical to be sympathetic. His pretentious demeanor will have a lot of people indifferent or annoyed at him. Broderick himself is solid as usual in a monotonous sort of way. In my opinion it's Brittany Snow that steals the show here. She is poised for her age and mature beyond her years. Despite having to contend with a disappointing script, she gives it her all. Her energy and charisma was a lot of fun to watch. Maura Tierney is solid as the wife, but doesn't have that much to do but play a frustrated wife. I'd like to have seen more depth from her character. All my criticism aside, this is a good time-waster. I just wish the characters were a tad easier to relate to. I didn't think they went as far as they could have, but oh well. It's worth a look6.3/10

Harried sitcom writer Taylor Mendon is a recovering addict and compulsive gambler who heads to Las Vegas to rescue his ditzy twenty-year-old niece from a career in prostitution and to get her to enroll in rehab. The problem is that Amanda (Brittany Snow) is more than happy with the choices she's made and finds it rather hypocritical and presumptuous of her uncle of all people to be on his high horse regarding how she's living her life.Matthew Broderick has always excelled at playing the well-meaning, bumbling nebbish, but here, playing a well-meaning, bumbling nebbish who also happens to have alcohol and drug-dependency problems, he defies credibility. Moreover, writer/director Peter Tolan never quite strikes that proper balance between the lighthearted and the serious that he's so earnestly striving for (and which he often achieves on "Rescue Me").That being said, "Finding Amanda" does have a nice feel for its settings, a partially unexpected resolution, and enough goodwill to almost make it an enjoyable experience.

I've been watching movies all week - actually 2 weeks straight now and I've been doing so many reviews I don't know what to write anymore.It's a watchable film, good performances from all and overall a good script.To me, it's the little bit players that make up this movie. Not because the leads aren't good - they are good.But it's the smaller roles on this that make up this movie.All the story turns fill in nice and the dialog is a little bit harsh, but nothing that a grade 6 hasn't heard before.I do not recommend it for family viewing though - unless your kids are hookers themselves.

This film is about a troubled middle aged man with addiction problems trying to rescue his niece from prostitution in Las Vegas.Taylor is hopelessly addicted to gambling, hoping one day he will win it big. Amanda earns money by prostitution in Las Vegas, and is successful as she manages to make money to buy a house and a car at the tender age of 20. It is obvious that Taylor and Amanda are characters with things in common. They live in their own fantasy world, thinking that someday it will magically transform into utopia.Given the subject matter, I find it surprising that "Finding Amanda" is marketed as a comedy. There are funny moments, but it is more a emotional drama about the two waking up from their dreamland. Taylor's addiction is convincingly portrayed by the adorable Matthew Broderick. Amanda is also a likable character, but she is far too happy and fluffy to be a person with a turbulent background. Greg, on the other hand, is convincingly despicable and disgusting."Finding Amanda" is slow at times, but it gives viewers ample time to digest what goes on with the characters. It provokes people to look into their lives, and maybe we can find a part of us that is hypocritical like Taylor is. This film is for people who like serious and emotional films, and it will not appeal to romantic comedy fans.