Sometimes I'm just a big ole girl. Pass me a tissue.

What's not to like here? Julie Andrews is just awesome. It is so great to see her on the big screen again. And she is marvellous in this film, simply wonderful. You cannot imagine a better evening than spending two hours with the grand lady of the silver screen (one of the few we have left). And she is perfection here. It just makes it so easy to adore her more.

Andrews play the queen of a small country. When her son, and heir to the thrown, suddenly dies, she travels to the US to find his estranged daughter. The clincher: The daughter doesn't know she is a princess. Her parents have long been divorced and she had never met her father. The cute and wonderful thing is, there's no drama here about that. The father was a good guy who sent presents and letters. The mother, an independent and free-spirited gal, just wanted her daughter to grow up normal. There's no sniping or animosity between Andrews and the mom and that is a real treat.

When Andrews isn't on screen, the youngsters here do a fine job. Anne Hathaway is a real find as the would-be princess. She shines almost as brightly as Andrews. We adore her and she makes it so easy to get caught up in the plot. The fact that she is surrounded by some of the best young actors makes it even better. "Welcome to the Doll House's" Heather Matarazzo finally has a chance to act in a "normal" role and she is spectacular. Robert Schwartzman is cute and likeable as a quiet suitor for Hathaway's attention (and Matarazzo's character's brother). He doesn't get as much chance to shine as he should but when the chips are down, he really pulls through, making us see him as the perfect choice for Hathaway's wayward royal.

Hathaway and Andrews both have a wonderful chemistry as well with Hector Elizando who does some of his best work here. See, the film is directed by Garry Marshall and, in a way, is a riff off his "Pretty Woman," so Marshall casts Elizando again in a secondary role as sort of the level-headed guy who helps everything come to fruition. He is just lovable here. Perfection.

Marshall does a pretty good job here too. Sure, he is an odd choice to direct a film aimed at teenage girls, but he proves himself the perfect man for the job with his finished product. Drawing from his "Pretty" films and his underrated 1991 romancer "Frankie and Johnny," Marshall really knows how to pluck at our heartstrings. His work is awesome here from his choice of cast, to the use of locations to the music. Hey, maybe Marshall had some help from producer Whitney Houston, but the music here is pretty damn good and perfectly used. Normally, I don't like what is now called "pop music;" but here, choices like Backstreet Boys, Krystal Harris and Babyboy actually work. Even better, they don't annoy or grate the nerves. A song by the Backstreet lame-o's called "What Makes You Different (Makes You Beautiful") actually becomes a nice audio motif for the film. Marshall may not be a "pop" maven, he may have had some help picking the tunes, but like all great directors, he forges the desperate elements here into a cohesive whole that is enjoyable and palatable.

"The Princess Diaries" is rated G and that will throw many people. This isn't a film for hardnoses, blackhearts or fanboys. This is a film aimed squarely at teenage girls. The great thing is, boys, women, men and (especially) romantics will find a film that will steal their hearts.

With "The Princess Diaries," Garry Marshall has created an instant classic. This film will be loved now and in generations to come. And even though it does not set itself up for an obvious sequel, the possibility is there nonetheless. We can only hope Marshall and his cast will be around for it.

Note:

Also with Larry Miller, Mandy Moore, Caroline Goodall, Erik von Detten, Sean O'Bryan, Sandra Oh, and a cameo by San Francisco mayor Willie Brown.

The nepotism factor: Many folks with the last name of Marshall appear in the film, especially children. Tracy Reiner (Marshall's niece) also appears in the film. Juliet Elizando plays an Ambassador's young daughter.

Filmed and set in San Francisco.

Schwartzman's character plays in a band and he actually composed and performed some music used in the film

The film was known as "The Princess of Tribeca" for awhile during production.

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