She is the manStarring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum, it may be a teen romantic comedy, but its innovative message and witty lines secured its cult classic status upon release. The film follows Viola Hastings, an aspiring soccer player whose women’s team is cutand she decides to prove herself as part of the men’s team. Unexpectedly, Viola, undercover, falls in love with a teammate, Duke, while accidentally gaining the affection of the most popular girl in school. This film is easily one of Amanda Bynes’ most memorable roles, and in part, that’s due to many notable quotes.
In She is the man, Both Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum were older than Viola and Duke, they gave such honest and raw performances that they became one with their characters. Viola and Duke exhibit quintessential teenage behaviorand they are relatable because of the actors’ approach to their roles. She is the man It’s not a film to be taken seriously, but it managed to become a treasure trove of feminist values and guidance for following dreams. Furthermore, the film is full of lines that are deeper than they might seem at first glance, which makes it She is the man one of the most rewatchable films of the 2000s.
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“When my eyes are closed, I see you as you really are. Which is UGLY!”
Viola Hastings
She is the manThe main character of Viola, was not afraid to speak her mind and could deliver fiery insults whenever the occasion called for it. She made this specific comment about Monique, her brother’s needy girlfriend. Monique was never nice to Viola, or anyone else. She fulfilled the role of the usual popular girl in the teen movies of the early 2000s. While they may have had impeccable looks, they were often mean.
Just before Viola told Monique how ugly she thought she was, Monique brutally turned down Andrew, one of Duke’s friends. She came to look for Sebastian and didn’t leave Viola, the fake Sebastian, alone, which led her to get rid of Monique in this way. The line was particularly blunt because Viola never meant that as a mockery of Monique’s appearance – it was her “ugly” personality she craved.
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“You stick it in well, it absorbs right away.”
Viola Hastings
Duke himself also tested this medicine for nosebleeds…
She is the manThe club’s Viola Hastings was a creative person, capable of performing extremely well under pressure if the situation required it. After tampons fell out of her bag in front of Duke and the others, Viola had to think quickly and come up with some kind of explanation. After all, they knew Viola as Sebastian and wouldn’t expect him to have a need for feminine hygiene products.
She told the guys that she, or rather he, used tampons for severe nosebleeds. Interestingly, not only did the excuse work, but Duke himself also tested this medicine for nosebleeds and concluded that it was effective. Viola’s new use of tampons went beyond the film and athletes started using them in real lifeand that really says a lot about the legacy of She is the man on a more global scale.
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“Fine. End of relationship.”
Viola Hastings
She is the man brilliantly illustrated why people should never settle for partners who are beneath them or, more specifically, who treat them poorly when they have a dream. Viola’s boyfriend, Justin, didn’t support her when the girls’ team was cut at school and lied to her face about where her loyalties really lay.
When Viola questioned him, Justin tried to shut her up, but she immediately dropped him with this iconic phrase. Viola knew her self-worth better than most teenagers in romantic comedies used to know at the timeand she is still a shining example for all the young girls out there. Viola deserved a relationship where she was valued, where someone understood why she was so upset, and she didn’t hesitate to stand up for herself when that wasn’t the case.
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“Remember, chew like you have a secret.”
Cheryl Lancaster
Viola’s mother wanted her football-loving daughter to be what she considered a proper young woman, but Viola didn’t much care about higher society’s expectations of her. In She is the manViola went to a debutante party in a bad mood because of Olivia and forgot to watch her table manners. Elbows were on the table and food was picked up with Viola’s own hands, as she was so focused on simply getting what she wanted.
As I devoured the chicken however I saw fit, Cheryl, the hostess, suggested how a lady should chew it. Although these comments about female behavior are quite sexist, Cheryl’s chewing advice has stood the test of time – and it’s a great tip for those who chew loudly too.
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“Heels are a male invention designed to make a woman’s butt look smaller. And to make it harder to escape.”
Viola Hastings
Viola was never closer to failure than when she decided to discuss the patriarchy with her mother over the phone, despite being disguised as Sebastian in a public place where anyone could have overheard her. Knowing that Viola and her mother didn’t agree on so many things related to being a teenager, it was easy to understand why Viola was so frustrated with her.
Although Viola’s choice of location for this conversation was questionable, the content of her words could not be more relevant today. She is the man saw it through the male gaze before making it popularand Viola’s assessment of the heels still rings true. They’re not for everyone and they’re hardly the most comfortable shoes in the world. While some women opt for high heels because they want to complete a look with them, other women prefer to be more comfortable in flats, and that’s perfectly normal.
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“Don’t be afraid of greatness, some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Duke Orsino
In She is the manViola’s main love interest, Duke, turns out to be much more than a mindless jock. In truth, Duke was kind and sensitive, although he didn’t like to show it.. He spent much of the film learning a lot from how Viola (as Sebastian) approached different situations.
His toxic masculinity got in the way at times, but he had more insightful moments than any other character. Duke’s speech right before accepting Viola onto the team wasn’t very original, but he clearly meant well when he mentioned his coach, the man Duke held in high esteem. (The phrase is actually from the original Shakespeare play that inspired the film’s story.) The actor made his character extremely lovable, which is why She is the man remains one of Channing Tatum’s best films to date.
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“Why, yes, I do. My favorite is Gouda.”
Viola Hastings
Amanda Bynes’ heartfelt delivery made it extremely fun.
The scene where Viola taught Duke how to talk to girls is one of the most underrated moments in She is the man. She encouraged him to talk about cheese – advice he later followed when unsuccessfully trying to talk to Olivia – and there was something immensely innocent and sweet about it. Cheese seemed like a safe and simple enough topic, especially in a family-oriented teen romantic comedy, for two people to get to know each other and discuss.
Viola’s line about her favorite cheese being Gouda may not have been a joke, but Amanda Bynes’ heartfelt line made it extremely entertaining. The fact that Olivia didn’t like Duke’s question about cheese should have been a warning sign for him since that meant they would never work out.
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“How come when I wanted to ask Eunice out, everyone made fun of me, but then Sebastian liked her and suddenly she was cool? Damn you guys. I hate high school.”
Toby
Duke’s friends Andrew and Toby didn’t contribute much to the plot of She’s the man. They were clearly “sidekicks” who weren’t supposed to have their own story arcs, but were simply there to help flesh out the main characters. The scene in question was a rare exception to this.
It was clear that Toby liked Eunice, who was considered a weirdo, from the beginning, but he didn’t act on it. So when Sebastian, actually Viola, asked Eunice out, Andrew immediately decided to comment that there might be more to Eunice than he had realized. Toby’s response perfectly summed up the peer pressure teens experience all the time. He decided to ignore his own feelings for someone simply because his friends thought she was weird. This scene was an unexpectedly bittersweet moment, but everything Toby said was true. High school is a difficult time for everyone.
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“I can do this. I’m a guy. I’m a good-looking guy! I’m a badass handsome guy!”
Viola Hastings
Amanda Bynes had a special talent for comedy that few could imitate…
She is the man It would never have become so popular if it weren’t for the lead actress’s stellar performance. Amanda Bynes had a knack for comedy that few could imitate at the age she became famous. It’s a shame that Amanda Bynes’ career was cut short because of her personal struggles a few years after the release of She is the man.
Yet, Viola’s hilarious conversation on the way to Sebastian’s dorm was a great moment that became quotable. After suddenly becoming scared of her plan, Viola, with Paul’s help, pulled herself together and walked into the school proudly. As Viola walked down the hallway, she did her best to convince herself that she could pass for her twin brother, and for the most part, she succeeded. Much of the film’s comedy came not from her being discovered, but from her teaching her new friends about relationships, women, and even themselves.
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“Nonsense! You don’t need a man to wear a beautiful dress!”
Daphne Hastings
Viola’s mother Daphne didn’t seem very feminist all the time She is the manbut closer to the end, she surprised everyone with this legendary quote. Up until that point in the film, it seemed like Daphne would be someone who would be very focused on her daughter’s need for a man for social events.
The debutante ball was about to start and Viola wasn’t going to attend because she didn’t think Duke would show up for her, and the rules dictated that she needed a male escort for the event. Upon hearing Viola’s reluctance to go to the ball, Daphne commented that her daughter didn’t need a date to put on a stunning dress and have fun. The revelation that Daphne supported Viola all along was one of the best moments of She is the man.
She’s the Man is a teen comedy directed by Andy Fickman. The film stars Amanda Bynes as Viola Hastings, who disguises herself as her twin brother Sebastian to join a boys’ soccer team, navigating romance and teenage identity. Co-starring Channing Tatum, the plot is loosely inspired by William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, mixing humor and sports in a high school setting.
- Director
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Andy Fickman
- Release date
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March 17, 2006
- Writers
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Ewan Leslie, Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith
- Execution time
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105 minutes