Suburban Girl (2008)

A brunette Sarah Michelle Gellar stars opposite Alec Baldwin in this romantic coming-of-age story loosely based on the popular Melissa Banks book THE GIRL'S GUIDE TO HUNTING AND FISHING. Gellar plays Brett Eisenberg, a young woman working her way up New York City's publishing ladder. Eager to get ahead, Brett attends a book signing with hopes of meeting influential publishing giant Archie Knox (Alec Baldwin). No sooner do they trade glances than Archie is wooing Brett with extravagant dates, expensive gifts, and career assistance. The relationship is a storybook romance from the start, but slowly gets much more complicated due to the age difference and Archie's alcoholism.

Viewers might initially struggle to relate to the young protagonist--things seem to come a bit too easily for Brett, who conveniently lives rent-free in her grandmother's vacant and fancy Manhattan apartment. That said, it's easy to understand why the filmmakers chose this scenario, as New York does look better through the eyes of privilege. It is a land mysteriously without subways, and where every building has a doorman. The setting is contrived, but the romance manages to feel authentic. Watching Archie, anyone can see how a girl could easily swoon over him. Baldwin is extremely charming as a flawed but charismatic man close in age to Brett's father. SUBURBAN GIRL is highly entertaining throughout, and a fine showcase for Baldwin, who, playing a character with eerie similarities to himself, is a joy to watch.