🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Robert Luketic
- Genre: Comedy, Romance
- Release year: 2004
- Runtime (length): 1h 36min
- IMDb rating: 5.6/10 (55k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 15%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A small-town girl’s life is ruined when her celebrity crush decides he also likes her, forcing her to choose between fame and the nice guy at the grocery store.
🍿 Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Small-Town Dreams
Rosalee Futch, a cheerful grocery clerk in Frazier’s Bottom, West Virginia, dreams of meeting her idol, movie star Tad Hamilton. She lives a simple life with her best friend and coworker, Pete, who secretly harbors deep feelings for her. Their small town existence is upended when a contest promises a date with the Hollywood heartthrob.

Winning the Date
Much to Pete’s dismay, Rosalee wins the “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!” contest. This sets off a whirlwind trip to Los Angeles where Rosalee spends an evening with the charming but somewhat immature Tad. Tad’s agents, the two Richard Levys, orchestrated the contest to clean up his public image after a series of bad press incidents.

Hollywood Comes to West Virginia
Surprisingly, Tad finds himself genuinely drawn to Rosalee’s sincerity and down-to-earth nature. He decides to follow her back to West Virginia, seeking to experience a more authentic life. This move throws Rosalee’s world into chaos, complicates her friendship with Pete, and drives Tad’s agents into a frenzy as they try to salvage their client’s career.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Rosalee Futch (Kate Bosworth): A small-town grocery clerk who wins a date with her celebrity crush, leading to a complicated love triangle.
- Tad Hamilton (Josh Duhamel): A Hollywood movie star who falls for a small-town girl, trying to escape his bad-boy image.
- Pete Monash (Topher Grace): Rosalee’s best friend and co-worker who is secretly in love with her, creating a rivalry with Tad.
- Richard Levy the Driven (Nathan Lane): One of Tad’s agents who orchestrates the ‘Win a Date’ contest to improve Tad’s public image.
- Richard Levy the Shameless (Sean Hayes): Tad’s other agent and manager who works alongside Richard Levy the Driven to control Tad’s career.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Angelica: “Well is it love, big love, or great love? Well, love you get over in two months, big love you get over in two years, and great love, well great love… changes your life. So which one is it?” – Angelica asks Pete to define the level of love he feels for Rosalee.
- Richard Levy the Driven: “My job is to take care of the shameless, I am Richard Levy the Driven!” – Richard Levy the Driven emphasizes his role in managing Tad’s image.
- Pete: “Guard your carnal treasure.” – Pete jokingly advises Rosalee to be careful on her date with Tad.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $22,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $17,071,962
- Worldwide Gross: $21,513,434
💥 Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched this movie again after years, and honestly, it’s still a fun, fluffy ride. Kate Bosworth is adorable as Rosalee, and Topher Grace just nails the ‘secretly in love’ best friend. I found myself rooting for Pete all the way. The whole ‘small town girl meets Hollywood heartthrob’ thing is classic rom-com, but the movie has this sweet, innocent charm that makes it a guilty pleasure. I won’t say it’s a cinematic masterpiece, but if you need a dose of feel-good, this movie delivers.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of romantic comedies”
- “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted and feel-good movies”
- “Those who appreciate stories about small-town charm versus Hollywood glamour”
- “Fans of Kate Bosworth, Josh Duhamel, and Topher Grace”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild suggestive content”
- “Some language”
- “Brief depiction of underage drinking”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite a charming cast, ‘Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!’ relies too heavily on predictable romantic comedy tropes and lacks genuine chemistry, ultimately failing to deliver a fresh or engaging experience. A waste of talent that could have been used for better material.
- IMDB: “While not groundbreaking, ‘Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!’ offers lighthearted fun with its likable cast. Bosworth shines, and Grace delivers humor. The plot is predictable, and it will appeal more to us women than men.
- Common Sense Media: “Clean and fun story with likable characters, this film will satisfy girls and their love of celebrity. There are a few sexual references. Not original and not one of the best, but overall pretty good.
Audience Reactions
Topher Grace’s portrayal of Pete is the most endearing and relatable character, adding genuine heart to the story.: Viewers generally appreciate the light-heartedness and feel-good vibes, with many drawn to the relatable characters and simple storyline.
Overall Consensus: A predictable yet charming romantic comedy, best enjoyed for its likable cast and feel-good atmosphere.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Much of the West Virginia filming took place in Fayette County, about 50 miles east of Charleston.”
- “The real-life Frazier’s Bottom, West Virginia is located in Putnam County, just west of Charleston.”
🖥️ How to Watch Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!?
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. You can also purchase the DVD or Blu-ray online through retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, you might like these similar films:
- Notting Hill (1999): Deals with the theme of a commoner falling for a celebrity and the challenges of such a relationship.
- My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997): Involves a love triangle where someone realizes their feelings for their best friend when another person comes into the picture.
- 13 Going on 30 (2004): Released in the same year, this movie also features Jennifer Garner in a similar upbeat romantic comedy, offering a lighthearted story.
- She’s All That (1999): Features a makeover plot and the theme of popularity versus genuine connection.
🛒 Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! Related Products
- Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! [Blu-ray]: Relive the classic romantic comedy in high definition. A great addition to any rom-com fan’s collection, offering improved picture and sound quality.
- Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Vibrant colors and iconic imagery bring a touch of Hollywood charm to any room.
- Funko Pop! Topher Grace as Pete Monash (Fan-Made): A custom-designed Funko Pop figure of Topher Grace’s character. Celebrate this fan-favorite.
🎧 Soundtrack
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While the movie is set in Frazier’s Bottom, West Virginia, much of the filming took place in Fayette County, West Virginia, about 50 miles east of Charleston.
The film explores the themes of authenticity, genuine connection, and the contrast between manufactured fantasies and real-life relationships. It suggests that true happiness lies in embracing genuine connections and appreciating the simple things in life rather than chasing fleeting fame and superficial ideals.
No, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! is a fictional story and not based on any real-life events.
🔥 Bonus Content
A Small-Town Girl Wins A Date With A Male Celebrity Through A Contest
Need a quick refresher on ‘Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!’? This recap gives you all the highlights in under 10 minutes. Honestly, it’s the perfect way to remember the key plot points before diving back into this classic rom-com!
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! (2004) Explained | Rom-Com | Cinema Soul
Ever wonder what made ‘Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!’ so charming? This video breaks down all the rom-com goodness, exploring why we still love this movie. Check it out; you might see the movie in a whole new light!
Kate Bosworth – Bio, Wiki, Height, Family, Career, Dating, Age, Size, Facts
Curious about Kate Bosworth’s career before ‘Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!’? This short bio gives you a quick rundown of her early life and roles. It’s a fun way to learn more about the actress!
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