Parents' Guide to

Chasing Liberty

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Middle school girls only need apply.

Movie PG-13 2004 120 minutes
Chasing Liberty Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
November 17, 2012
age 13+

One of Mandy's better films!

Tweens and teens will love this Mandy Moore film. It's fun, energetic and adventurous. I've even seen a few grown men who like this movie - believe it or not! I think it's pretty decent for a "presidents daughter" themed story. Basically about the presidents daughter Anna Foster who has a huge passion for living life to the fullest; she is upbeat & confident. She isn't allowed to live a normal life - going out whenever, hanging with friends, going to parties and dating. She longs for the outside world. She's got annoying agents who follow her around like lost puppies. Until she decides to change her identity and get loose after one night at a concert. She meets up with a cute British dude named Ben, not knowing that he is an agent too! They both keep their real identities secret and the two embark on an adventurous journey backpacking through Europe (amazing photography and breathtaking views!) They eventually fall in love while not meaning to, but things quickly change when Anna accidentally overhears Ben talking to her father over the phone, which begins to ruin their relationship and trust for each other. Good movie, no real violence. Anna tries to sleep with Ben at one point but he declines. Some kissing. Two agents mildly flirt throughout the entire movie. Anna's backside is briefly flashed. Language isn't bad (a couple uses of sh*t and other mild words). Anna gets a little drunk at one scene. This one is great for 13 and up!

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Pop princess Mandy Moore plays the President's runaway 18-year-old daughter in this formula romantic comedy designed for middle school girls and not of much interest or appeal for anyone else. Liberty (Moore) is a sweet kid who understands that being followed by secret service agents and having her picture taken with tourists and dignitaries is part of the job description. Like any other 18-year-old, she thinks her parents are too protective. On a trip to Prague, her father (Mark Harmon) breaks his promise to limit her secret service protection to two agents, so she runs away, with the help of a handsome guy with a cool British accent named Ben (Matthew Goode). It turns out that he is in the secret service, too, but ordered not to tell Liberty, so that she can have the illusion of an adventure. But things do not go as planned, and they end up having more of an adventure than they thought.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (5):

There are pretty things to look at in CHASING LIBERTY, especially Prague and Venice, and newcomer Goode, who is very good indeed. And we want to root for the overprotected Liberty, never alone but always lonely, to take some risks and have some fun. But Moore is so limited as a performer, the plot and dialogue are so superficial and unimaginative, and the lack of chemistry between the leads is so intrusive that a recap montage of the would-be high points near the end just seems painful.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Liberty's situation is just an exaggerated version of the struggles that all parents and teenagers have over independence. Why did Liberty try to get Ben to have sex with her? Why did he turn her down? What made them like each other? Families might want to read up on Alice Roosevelt, the headstrong and outspoken daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. When asked why he did not stop her from getting into trouble, he replied that he could control the affairs of state, or control Alice, but could not possibly do both.

Movie Details

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