A LIFE in politics is a furious media circus of photo opportunities, fake smiles and carefully crafted soundbites.

Caught somewhere in the middle of this relentless spin are politicians' children, the pawns in a battle for the hearts and minds of the electorate.

Samantha Mackenzie (Holmes), the spirited teenage daughter of US President John Mackenzie (Keaton), has spent her entire life in the spotlight.

Standing alongside her father and mother Melanie (Colin), Samantha is a powerful weapon on the election campaign trail, promoting a wholesome image of family unity.

Unfortunately, Samantha would quite like a life of her own, away from the constant scrutiny of her Secret Service detail.

When she enrols at the University of Redmond, some 3,000 miles from Washington, four special agents, including Bock (Milhoan) and Dylan (Adway), go along too.

Samantha's attention-seeking roommate Mia (Amerie) is far from impressed.

And the gun-toting shadows make it virtually impossible for Samantha to flirt with handsome resident advisor James Lansome (Blucas).

Desperate to win her independence, Samantha begs and pleads with her father's PA, Liz (Rochon Fuqua), to put in a good word.

First Daughter sets itself up to be a frothy fable of female empowerment but eventually turns out to be a rather disquieting tale of submission and denial of one's heart.

Holmes comes across as insipid and unfeeling, and there's little chemistry with Blucas's beefcake.