Monte Carlo

As Selena Gomez's character, Grace Bennett, counts down the days until her highly anticipated trip to Paris with best friend Emma Perkins (Katie Cassidy) and step-sister Meg Kelly (Leighton Meester), it becomes clear that this excursion is more than just a vacation - it's a culmination of years of saving and planning for 17-year-old Grace. The determined high-school student has been meticulously setting aside funds for the four-year journey, fueled by her passion to explore the City of Light.

However, not everyone shares in Grace's enthusiasm. Her stepfather, Robert (Brett Cullen), has other motivations at play, as he pressures Meg into joining the trip, hoping that the experience will help his daughter-in-law's passing to no longer define her existence. The suggestion is met with resistance from Meg, who feels like she's being forced to relive painful memories and participate in a trip that reeks of sentimentality.

Meanwhile, Grace and Emma are thrilled at the prospect of exploring the world beyond Texas, with Emma (Katie Cassidy) confessing that this adventure represents her first taste of freedom. Even her boyfriend Owen's (Cory Monteith) marriage proposal can't sway her from her decision to embark on this journey.

Upon arrival in Paris, the trio is bombarded by a relentless schedule imposed by their tour company, which seems more interested in cramming in as many attractions as possible than allowing for genuine exploration. Emma's ill-fated decision to wear towering heels only adds to the girls' frustration, as they struggle to keep up with the rapid-fire pace of their itinerary.

Despite Meg's constant complaining and disdain for the group's accommodations, which are little more than a glorified hostel, Grace remains resolute in her optimism. It isn't until she meets Riley, an Australian backpacker who catches her eye, that Meg begins to see the beauty in this trip - not just as a means of getting closer to her step-sister, but as an opportunity for self-discovery.

As the girls find themselves abandoned by their tour guide at the iconic Eiffel Tower, they seek refuge from the Parisian rain in a luxurious hotel. It is here that the true nature of their relationships and personal desires begin to surface, setting the stage for a transformative journey that will challenge each character's perceptions of love, family, and themselves.

As the hotel staff and paparazzi remain oblivious to the truth, they continue to mistake Grace for Celebutante British heiress Cordelia Winthrop-Scott, her identical double, who had initially departed to attend an auction for a Romanian charity. The event was meant to raise funds for the organization by auctioning off an exquisite Bulgari necklace, which Cordelia had kindly agreed to donate. Meanwhile, Meg and Emma catch a glimpse of Cordelia while Grace is indisposed in the bathroom and hatch a plan that allows them to pose as their supposed counterpart, thereby securing access to her luxurious suite for the night.

The Americans spend the evening luxuriating in the opulence of Cordelia's suite, only to be escorted by hotel staff to a limousine the following day. As they prepare to depart, Emma realizes that Cordelia's luggage will be traveling separately, unaware that Grace is about to find herself on a private plane bound for Monte Carlo, accompanied by none other than Cordelia's own luggage. In a bold move, Grace asserts that the trip remains paid in full, regardless of whether "Cordelia" chooses to attend or not.

As they settle into their new surroundings, Meg and Emma take time to peruse a magazine featuring Cordelia's profile, only to discover that the supposed heiress is notorious for her entitled behavior and scandalous exploits. Their arrival at Monte Carlo marks the beginning of a series of encounters with members of the Marchand family, including Theo Marchand (Pierre Boulanger), the son of the philanthropist hosting the charity auction.

Theo, who has grown disenchanted with Cordelia's spoiled nature, finds himself drawn to the genuine charm of his supposed counterpart. In their hotel room, Grace begins to feel overwhelmed by the situation but remains steadfast in her resolve, encouraged by Emma's unwavering support.

That evening, Theo escorts them to a lavish ball, where "Cordelia" (now adorned in a stunning dress sourced from Cordelia's luggage) effortlessly charms Alicia Marchand (Catherine Tate), Cordelia's aunt. Meg had earlier studied Cordelia's profile in Hello magazine and coached Grace on the essential details, allowing her to convincingly portray the supposed heiress.

Meanwhile, Emma finds herself swept off her feet by Prince Domenico Da Silvano (Giulio Berruti) at the ball, while Grace dons Cordelia's Bulgari necklace. As they navigate their new surroundings, Meg realizes that Alicia has been thoroughly duped into believing that Grace is indeed Cordelia.

In a separate development, Emma's luggage remains at the tour guide hotel, where it attracts the attention of Owen (presumably), who decides to travel to Paris in order to reunite with her. As "Cordelia" prepares for the charity auction, Theo discreetly informs her that the Bulgari necklace she's wearing – originally intended as a donation to the charity – has the potential to raise funds for 20 schools, further solidifying Meg and Emma's position within their elaborate charade.

As the sun rises on a new day, tensions simmer beneath the surface as Meg and Emma engage in a fiery confrontation at the beach. The air is thick with unspoken resentment, as Emma seizes the opportunity to confront Meg about her perceived disdain. Their argument escalates until Meg storms off, leaving Emma feeling vindicated but also slightly wounded.

Meanwhile, Riley (Luke Bracey), an Australian backpacker with a captivating story to tell, reappears in Meg's life. As they stroll through the picturesque streets of Monte Carlo, their shared experiences and sense of adventure bring them closer together. Riley shares his inspiring journey of overcoming adversity after a debilitating injury left him paralyzed for a year. Now, he's determined not to waste a single day, and his infectious enthusiasm resonates with Meg.

Theo takes Grace to a high-stakes polo match, where the latter struggles to keep up with the game. Unbeknownst to Theo, Alicia is monitoring the situation from afar, her suspicions piqued by rumors of an impersonation. As the charity auction approaches, Alicia's concerns are validated when she discovers that Cordelia has hired a lookalike – not for personal gain, but to escape the spotlight.

Theo finds himself drawn to Cordelia's warm and genuine nature, which contrasts with Emma's frosty demeanor. The latter is invited to a lavish yacht party by her prince charming, where she initially enjoys herself before being turned off by his condescending attitude towards the staff. As she departs, Emma leaves behind Cordelia's precious necklace as a token of safekeeping – only for Meg to accidentally stash it in Riley's backpack as they explore Monte Carlo.

As Owen arrives on the scene, he becomes convinced that Grace is hiding something after stumbling upon her photograph with Meg and Emma announcing their charity auction. His hopes of reconciling with Emma are rekindled, but his timing couldn't be worse. Cordelia discovers the impersonation when Owen mistakenly assumes she's the lookalike, leading her to discover the missing necklace.

The girls' attempts to placate an enraged Cordelia ultimately fail as they're forced to resort to desperate measures to prevent her from withdrawing the necklace from the auction. Riley unwittingly returns the necklace, but Cordelia remains resolute in her demand for justice. Just as all hope seems lost, Grace's heartfelt confession at the auction and Alicia's bold bidding of €6 million to save her friend from arrest bring a sense of closure to this tangled web of deception.

As the narrative unfolds, a trifecta of poignant moments emerges: Meg's spontaneous decision to embark on a globe-spanning adventure with her free-spirited companion Riley, whose insatiable wanderlust has become contagious; in stark contrast, Owen and Emma's quiet milestone of settling into their own domestic haven in the heartland of Texas, a testament to the enduring power of love and stability; meanwhile, Theo Marchand (actor name) and the enigmatic Grace find themselves reunited at the Romanian charity, a poignant reminder that even amidst the vast expanse of life, connections forged in the past can still leave an indelible mark.