Review of Material Girls (2006) by Nicole M — 07 Apr 2010

Ava (Haylie Duff) and Tanzie (Hilary Duff) Marchetta are rich, spoiled sisters. Their late father founded a cosmetics empire, allowing them to live a dream life complete with a Los Angeles mansion,... Ava (Haylie Duff) and Tanzie (Hilary Duff) Marchetta are rich, spoiled sisters.

Their late father founded a cosmetics empire, allowing them to live a dream life complete with a Los Angeles mansion, hot car, endless new clothes, and their every desire fulfilled. Ava, the shallow older sister, is newly engaged to a B-list television star, and Tanzie is busy completing college applications so she can follow in her father's footsteps creating healthy new skin products.

Since their father's death, his best friend, Tom Katzenback (Brent Spiner), has run the company, while the girls have remained the face of Marchetta Cosmetics, paying little attention to the details, and just popping into the office occasionally to say hello or make a decision about a charitable contribution.

Understandably, the sisters are shocked when Tom tells them that the company is failing and that they should consider an offer from their father's arch enemy, Fabielle (Anjelica Houston). Things really hit rock bottom when a scandal further rocks the company, the girls find themselves destitute, and their father's reputation is run through the mud.

Abandoned by their fabulous friends and left with no corporate credit cards and no place to go, these "It girls" have two choices: get jobs or find a way to clear their father's good name and save Marchetta Cosmetics.

They choose the latter, and along the way, learn what life is like without spas, housekeepers, personal chefs, and bottomless credit cards. They even learn how to use public transportation. Most important, they discover that they can take care of themselves, and that they have skills they were never aware of.

They also learn what is truly important to them besides money. Martha Coolidge (VALLEY GIRL, THE PRINCE AND ME) directs this riches-to-rags story, which also stars Maria Conchita Alonso and Lukas Haas.