She’s the Man, starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum, may be a teen rom-com, but its groundbreaking message and witty lines have ensured its cult classic status upon release. The movie follows Viola Hastings, an aspiring soccer player whose girls’ team gets cut, and she decides to prove herself as part of the boys’ team. Unexpectedly, Viola, in disguise, falls for a fellow teammate, Duke, while accidentally earning the affection of the most popular girl in school. This movie is easily one of Amanda Bynes’ most memorable roles, and in part, that is due to plenty of notable quotes.
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In She’s the Man, both Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum were older than Viola and Duke, they gave such honest, raw performances that they became one with their characters. Viola and Duke exhibit the quintessential teen behavior, and they are relatable because of the actors’ approach to their roles. She’s the Man is not a movie that is meant to be taken seriously, but it has managed to become a treasure trove of feminist values and guidelines on following dreams. Plus, the film is full of lines that are deeper than they might sound at first, which makes She’s the Man one of the most rewatchable movies of the 2000s.
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10 “When My Eyes Are Closed, I See You For What You Truly Are. Which Is UGLY!”
Viola Hastings
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She’s the Man‘s main character, Viola, was not afraid to speak her mind, and she could deliver burning insults whenever the occasion called for it. She made this particular comment about Monique, her brother’s needy girlfriend. Monique was never nice to Viola, or anyone, for that matter. She fulfilled the role of the usual popular girl in teen movies of the early 2000s. While they might have had impeccable appearances, they were often mean-spirited.
Just before Viola told Monique how ugly she found her to be, Monique had brutally turned down Andrew, one of Duke’s friends. She came looking for Sebastian and wouldn’t leave Viola, the fake Sebastian, alone, prompting her to get rid of Monique in this way. The line was particularly hard-hitting because Viola never meant it as a jibe at Monique’s appearance — it was her “ugly” personality that she targeted.
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9 “You Stick It Right In, It Absorbs Right Up.”
Viola Hastings
Duke himself also tested this nosebleed remedy…
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She’s the Man‘s Viola Hastings was a creative person who was able to perform extremely well under pressure if the situation called for it. After tampons fell out of her bag in front of Duke and the others, Viola had to think on her feet and come up with some sort of explanation. After all, they knew Viola as Sebastian and wouldn’t expect him to have the need for feminine hygiene products.
She told the guys that she, or, rather, he, used tampons for severe nosebleeds. Funnily enough, not only did the excuse work, but Duke himself also tested this nosebleed remedy and concluded that it was efficient. Viola’s newfound use of tampons went beyond the movie as well as athelets began using them in real-life, and that really speaks volumes about the legacy of She’s the Man on a more global scale.
8 “Fine. End Of Relationship.”
Viola Hastings
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She’s 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, wasn’t supportive of her when the girls’ team got cut at their school, and he lied to her face about where his loyalties really lay.
When Viola called him out on it, Justin tried to shut her up, but she dumped him on the spot with this iconic line. Viola knew her self-worth better than most teen girls in rom-coms usually did at the time, and she is still a shining example for all young women out there. Viola deserved a relationship where she would be valued, one where someone understood just why she was so upset, and she didn’t hesitate to stand up for herself when that wasn’t the case.
7 “Remember, Chew Like You Have A Secret.”
Cheryl Lancaster
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Viola’s mother wanted her soccer-loving daughter to be what she considered to be a proper young lady, but Viola didn’t care much about higher society’s expectations for her. In She’s the Man, Viola attended a debutante party while being in a foul mood because of Olivia, and she forgot to watch her table manners. Elbows were on the table, and food was picked up with Viola’s bare hands since she was so focused on simply getting to eat what she wanted.
When she was devouring the chicken in the way she deemed appropriate, Cheryl, the hostess, made a suggestion about how a lady was supposed to chew. Although these comments about ladylike behavior are rather sexist, Cheryl’s advice about chewing has stood the test of time — and it is a great tip for loud chewers, too.
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6 “Heels Are A Male Invention Designed To Make A Woman’s Butt Look Smaller. And To Make It Harder To Run Away.”
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 heard her. Knowing that Viola and her mother didn’t see eye to eye on so many things related to being a teenage girl, it was easy to see why Viola could get so frustrated with her.
While Viola’s choice of a place for this conversation was questionable, the substance of her words couldn’t be more relevant in this day and age. She’s the Man saw right through the male gaze before doing so became mainstream, and Viola’s assessment of heels still rings true. They aren’t for everyone, and they are hardly the most comfortable footwear in the world. While some women swear by heels because they want to complete an outfit with them, other women would prefer to be more comfortable in flats, and that’s perfectly fine.
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5 “Be Not Afraid Of Greatness, Some Are Born Great, Some Achieve Greatness, And Some Have Greatness Thrust Upon Them.”
Duke Orsino
In She’s the Man, Viola’s main love interest, Duke, turned out to be so much more than a jock without a thought on his mind. In fact, Duke was kindhearted and sensitive, even though he didn’t like to show it. He spent a good chuck of the movie learning a lot from how Viola (as Sebastian) approached different situations.
His toxic masculinity sometimes got in the way, but he had more insightful moments than any other character. Duke’s speech right before he accepted Viola into the team wasn’t very original, but he clearly meant well by quoting his coach, the man Duke held in high esteem. (The line is actually from the original Shakespeare play that inspired the movie’s story.) The actor made his character extremely lovable, which is why She’s the Man remains one of Channing Tatum’s best movies to date.
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She’s The Man
is loosely inspired by the Shakespeare play
Twelfth Night
.
4 “Why, Yes I Do. My Favorite’s Gouda.”
Viola Hastings
Amanda Bynes’ heartfelt delivery made it extremely amusing.
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The scene where Viola taught Duke how to talk to girls is one of the most underrated moments in She’s the Man. She encouraged him to talk about cheese — the advice that he later followed when attempting to speak with Olivia to no avail — and there was something immensely innocent and sweet about it. Cheese seemed like a safe and simple enough topic, especially in a mostly family-friendly teen rom-com, for two people getting to know one another to discuss.
Viola’s line about her favorite cheese being Gouda might not have been a joke, but Amanda Bynes’ heartfelt delivery made it extremely amusing. The fact that Olivia didn’t appreciate Duke’s question about cheese should have been the wake-up call for him since it meant that they would never work out.
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3 “How Come When I Wanted To Ask Eunice Out Everyone Made Fun Of Me, But Then Sebastian Likes Her And Suddenly She’s Cool? Screw You Guys. I Hate High School.”
Toby
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Duke’s friends, Andrew and Toby, didn’t contribute a lot to the plot of She’s the Man. They were clearly “sidekicks” who weren’t meant to have their own story arcs, but simply there to help flesh out the main characters. The scene in question was a rare exception to that.
It was evident that Toby liked Eunice, who was deemed a weirdo, from the beginning, but he didn’t act on it. Then, as Sebastian, really Viola, asked Eunice out, Andrew immediately decided to comment that there might be more to Eunice than he had noticed. Toby’s retort perfectly summed up the peer pressure that teens experience all the time. He had decided to ignore his own feelings for someone simply because his friends thought she was weird. This scene was an unexpectedly bittersweet moment, and yet everything Toby said was true. High school is a tough time for everyone.
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2 “I Can Do This. I Am A Dude. I Am A Hunky Dude! I Am A Badass Hunky Dude!”
Viola Hastings
Amanda Bynes had a knack for comedy that few could emulate…
She’s the Man would never have become so popular if it hadn’t been for the lead actress’ stellar performance. Amanda Bynes had a knack for comedy that few could emulate at the age when she became famous. It is a shame Amanda Bynes’ career came to a halt because of her personal struggles a few years after the release of She’s the Man.
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Still, Viola’s hilarious pep talk on her way to Sebastian’s dorm was a big moment that became quotable. After suddenly getting cold feet about her plan, Viola, with Paul’s help, got herself together and entered the school proudly. As Viola was walking down the hall, she did her best to convince herself that she could pass for her twin brother, and for the most part, she did. Much of the movie’s comedy didn’t come from her being discovered, but in her teaching her new friends about relationships, women, and even themselves.
1 “Nonsense! You Don’t Need A Man To Wear A Beautiful Dress!”
Daphne Hastings
Viola’s mother, Daphne, didn’t seem like much of a feminist throughout She’s the Man, but closer to the end, she surprised everyone with this legendary quote. Up until that point in the movie, it very much seemed like Daphne would be someone who would be very focused on her daughter needing a man for society events.
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The debutante ball was about to start, and Viola wasn’t going to attend it because she didn’t think that Duke would show up for her, and the rules dictated that she needed a male escort for the event. Hearing Viola’s reluctance about going to the ball, Daphne commented that her daughter didn’t need an escort to put on a stunning dress and enjoy herself. The revelation that Daphne supported Viola all along was one of the best moments in She’s The Man.
She’s the Man PG-13ComedyRomanceSports
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 teenage romance and identity. Co-starring Channing Tatum, the storyline is loosely inspired by William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, blending humor and sports in a high school setting.
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*Availability in US Director Andy Fickman Release Date March 17, 2006 Writers Ewan Leslie , Karen McCullah Lutz , Kirsten Smith Cast Amanda Bynes , Channing Tatum , Laura Ramsey , Vinnie Jones , David Cross , Julie Hagerty Runtime 105 Minutes