Winning London Reviews

Less a conventional teen movie than a travelogue with comic interludes featuring the grown Olsen twins. Were you to fast forward through the scenes of exotic foreign places, there would be just enough footage left for a short subject on adolescent dating rituals. American over-achiever Chloe Lawrence (Mary-Kate Olsen) can't believe her good fortune when her students forensics team wins an international competition. She's thrilled that she and her fellow debaters will be going to the United Kingdom to participate in a model United Nations contest, but is really annoyed when her boy-crazy twin, Riley (Ashley Olsen), volunteers to fill in for an ailing team alternate. Riley initially wastes this valuable learning experience by chasing after teammate Brian (Brandon Tyler), a brainy jock who doesn't know she's alive. And in London Chloe's powers of concentration are blitzed by cupid after she meets rival debater James Browning (Jesse Spencer), whose father is a British lord. But Chloe isn't about to let love interfere with victory, especially after her team draws the plum assignment of representing England in the simulated UN. Their first task involves using diplomatic skill to pass a world hunger resolution. To convince others to vote for her plan, Chloe offers goodies from her suite to foreign team members. The presiding committee next presents a mock standoff and kidnaps several delegates, but instead of following their assignment and negotiating the release of hostages, Chloe and Riley engage in an unheard-of rescue mission. Meanwhile, Riley is beginning to win over Brian, while Chloe's competitive nature drives a wedge between her and James. If James's father finds a way to stack the decks in his son's favor, will Chloe finally realize that winning at all costs is a form of losing? This ode to puppy love uses the High School United Nations competition to preach ambivalent life lessons; while appearing to advocate good sportsmanship and fair play, the film simultaneously comes down on the side of using bribery and aggression to become number one. After all, that's the all-American way.