Big huge plot mistake


I really liked this movie and though the story was predictable, the characters were likable. But when she's riding to the castle and admits she's not been farther than Staten Island, the first thought I had was, how did Allie fly to Europe on 12 hours' notice without a passport? And if she's strapped for cash (which she was), why would she have gotten a passport before that when she had no need for one?

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She might have had a passport even if she never used it, maybe in the hopes of one day doing so. Even if she was strapped for cash, it could have been a dream of hers. People strapped for cash do not always make the right spending decisions. In fact, they often do not. It is often considered one of the best means of identification, so it is possible that she found it important for that reason. I think this is a minor plot hole that has plenty of potential explanations, not a huge mistake.

Now that someone else pointed it out, I am more bothered by the incorrect usage of "Your Highness" vs. "Your Majesty." That is an easy thing to research that is clearly wrong.

Still loved the movie, though.

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Where was the king's support staff, such as secretaries and advisors? All we see is the chancellor. Hard to believe Hallmark was so cheap it wouldn't hire a few extras to make the king's working scenario more believable.

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I had the same thought. Even the household staff was too small. It seemed that Fergus was functioning as both valet and butler. Also, when Allie went down to the kitchen to eat with the staff, where were the rest of them? None of the maids we had seen were there, and obviously there was a groom and a chauffeur around.

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They may not live in.

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The king is reminded that he is not in favor and that finances are low. He then mentions something about no one working for a year. Also, his stay at the hotel is criticized~at least, as I recall.

So, the lack of funds for servants and other staff is covered.

Small and very poor kingdoms are common in fiction and likely in real life. Check out "The Mouse That Roared" (1959) and "Penny Princess" (1952).


(W)hat are we without our dreams?
Making sure our fantasies
Do not overpower our realities. ~ RC

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It is possible to get an expedited passport in 24 hours if you apply in person. I know because I didn't realize my passport had expired and my trip was in a few days. If a "regular" person can get one that fast, it is not a stretch to believe that a King could secure an expedited passport for a member of their staff in 1/2 a day.

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I got a passport in 2005 when there was talk of requiring passports to travel to Canada (and it eventually became law). I didn't have a lot of money but I got one anyway and had it as a backup ID. It was the same cost as 10 years of a drivers' license in my state.

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[deleted]

Good point. And NYC is only a six hour drive from Montreal.

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Would she necessarily need a passport to go to the mythical country she was going. She was going with a member of the royal family and presumably could enter the country as such and not have her credentials checked when she got there. Of course, getting back home might be a problem

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She may have been able to get an expedited work visa, since she was specifically entering Wilshire with an offer of employment. In some countries, that and a photo ID (such as a driver's license) are enough to let you stay for up to 90 days; maybe longer.

Also, keep in mind that US passports are good for 10 years from date of issue. Given the overall ages, she could very easily have gotten one when her parents were still alive, and have it still be valid by the time of the movie.

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lol-it is movie.???

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Since she was being hired as a member of the Royal Household Staff she could have been issued a diplomatic passport by that country to allow her to travel to work. A US passport could then be issued later. Remember this is effectively governments talking directly to each other.

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