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To seventeen year old Halley Martin (Mandy Moore), the age of innocence is past. Observing
the failed and imminently failing human relationships around her, she is beset by doubts, fears, insecurities and distrust. Her mother Lydia (Allison Janney) is devastated
and pained now that the divorce of her parents has become final; while her father Len (Peter Gallagher) has run away with a blonde twenty years younger than he. Her sister
Ashley (Catherine Garrison) is preparing for her wedding yet is frequently quarreling with her fiancé over every trifle. Her friend Scarlett (Alexandra Holden) has an
unexpected pregnancy. Halley is confused and cannot quite understand why people would want to fall in love and end up unhappy. She weaves a cocoon around herself to
pre-empt any possibility of falling in love. She just enjoys the friendship of Macon (Trent Ford) with whom she can be herself and let down her guard. But then she
realizes one day that Macon seems to want her to be more than just a friend. She is confronted with the possibility of love. How will she respond?
Based on Sarah Dessen's two novels "Someone Like You" and "That Summer," the film deviates from
the usual theme of teen romances. Instead of dealing with young people over eager to embrace sex and enter into intimate liaisons, it focuses on the teenager's problems as
he/she is initiated into the adult's world of dysfunctional relationships. The film's strength lies in its characterization and the strong performances of some leads. Mandy
Moore appeals with her simple, fresh charm which she projects very naturally. Alexandra Holden as the troubled, unwed pregnant teenager and Allison Janney as the divorced
wife but understanding mother come across effectively. So does Nina Foch as Grandma Martin who provides some comic relief with her idiosyncrasies. Ford Trent and Dylan Baker
also deserve mention. The script has some quotable quotes. The film has at least four "love" relationships vying for our attention; however, these emotional
involvements have not really succeeded in touching or involving the viewer.
Though the film does not deal with boy-crazy young girls or sex-driven young boys, there is still
a need for parental guidance. Objectionable matters like divorce, pre-marital sex and teenage pregnancy are presented here as matter of fact realities but there is a need to
place them in the proper context. One can also call attention to the fact that Halley, though basically a wholesome teenager is accountable for her behavior when she escapes
out after being "grounded" by her mother. The mother is not exactly faultless when she "sneaks" out on an overnight date with her new beau. This turns off
Halley. Parents can teach best by example. The film shows that young people need the assurance, support and love of the family to survive emotionally in the crucial
growing up years.
(Date Reviewed: October 3, 2003)
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