ALL-American sweetheart Hilary Duff stretches her acting ability to the max in the title role of this saccharine, up-to-date version of the classic fairy tale.

High school student Sam (Duff) lives at the beck and call of her wicked step mum (Jennifer Coolidge) and her two twisted stepsisters.

Forced to work all hours in the family diner, she dreams one day of studying with America's elite at Princeton University.

Her only joy is the blossoming cyberspace relationship she has with a mysterious fellow student, who goes by the name of Nomad.

Nomad asks her to meet him at the school's fancy dress ball so they can discover whether they really are a perfect match.

Shielding her true identity behind a flimsy eye mask, she is horrified - and delighted - to discover her cyber friend is school hunk Austin Aimes (Chad Michael Murray). How can she possibly reveal herself to him now?

Like so many recent flicks of this genre, it's difficult to believe Austin would not have noticed pretty Sam before the ball - and has difficulty finding her afterwards!

Like Duff, with her perfect blonde mane and wholesome look, this is likeable and inoffensive but nonetheless uninspiring.

It's perfect material for a girl's pyjama party but anyone older than 12 might demand something with a little more substance.

EB