Everybody but Amanda has some kind of trouble in “Finding Amanda.” Everyone tries to save her but, apparently, she seems fine with what she’s doing for a living. Peter Tolan wrote the script and Peter Tolan directed the movie. Yes, the writer is the director or the director is the writer. I think the movie would have been much better if director Tolan had been objective enough to point out to writer Tolan some mistakes he made. Otherwise, “Finding Amanda” has its moments and manages to point out some deep problems that the characters go through.

Matthew Broderick plays the part of a television writer Taylor Peters who has overcome his alcohol and drug addiction but he still has a gambling problem that his wife Lorraine (Maura Tierney) doesn’t know about: Taylor goes to racetracks and gambles money. As the couple goes to Lorraine’s sister, Taylor discovers that his 20-year-old niece Amanda (Brittany Snow) is a prostitute in Las Vegas. On their way home, Lorraine finds racing stubs in the car and decides to leave Taylor.

With a job that doesn’t satisfy him and without a wife, Taylor thinks of a solution: go save Amanda. It’s a funny thing when a person full of problems decides to save someone else. Of course that, once arrived in Las Vegas, Taylor slips back into his old habits. So how is he supposed to lecture Amanda about her job when he is no better? But in his mind, Taylor thinks that if he manages to save Amanda and stay away from all his addictions, he will show Lorraine he’s changed. As all plans go, this one doesn’t quite become real.

I’m not quite sure if the movie is a drama or a comedy or a mixture of these two. Sometimes the characters are expressing their feeling in a deep and emotional way and other times, they act like everything in their life is peachy. They lack the ability to make the slide from a powerful scene to a less meaningful one without looking they have split personalities. I’m mostly referring to Brittany Snow who hasn’t yet figured out some acting skills.

On the other hand, Matthew Broderick still proves he’s a good actor but gives the impression he’s supposed to be in another movie. Although he fits perfectly with the character, his image manages to diminish the importance of his problems. Taylor is a sinner but looks like he can handle all his problems even tough he’s totally lost. There’s a bit of an inconsistency throughout the movie but, overall “Finding Amanda” has dept and originality.

Maybe next time Tolan would take the advice of someone else and do a better job. The guy has talent, there isn’t any doubt, as some of his other projects like “Rescue Me,” “Fort Pit,” “Guess Who” were successful.

“Finding Amanda”

Director: Peter Tolan
Writer: Peter Tolan
Running time: 1:36
Opening: June 27.
MPAA rating: R (for strong sexual content including graphic dialogue, pervasive language, drug content and brief nudity).
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Brittany Snow, Maura Tierney