Rated PG
Directed by Mark Rosman (The Perfect Man, Even Stevens – TV)
Starring Hilary Duff, Chad Michael Murray and Jennifer Coolidge
Cliché? Yes. Predictable? Yes. Typical teen flick where jocks are mindless bullies and cheerleaders are backstabbing snobs? Yes. Worth seeing? . . . I guess that depends how valuable your time is.
So it’s not very original, and it’s nothing you’ll probably add to your DVD collection, but it might be worth a rental.
Eight years after an earthquake kills her father, Sam (Duff) is stuck with her mean step mom (go figure) Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge) and terrible actresses . . . I mean, “stepsisters” Brianna and Gabriella. Sam slaves away at her step mom’s diner while trying to do good enough in school to get accepted to Princeton.
Sam escapes reality by chatting with an unknown guy via “instant messaging” and “text messaging” about her dreams of attending Princeton. Of course this guy turns out not only to be the most popular guy at Sam’s school, but a closet poet who also dreams of attending Princeton.
The couple agrees to meet at the school dance where they will reveal their true identity. But Sam has to be back to the diner by midnight or she will turn into a pumpk . . . wait . . . wrong story. You’ll have to rent it to see what happens.
Yeah, the film wasn’t all that great. But don’t hold it against Hilary. She actually did a good job in the film, despite her co-stars. And I must give “props” to Sam’s friend Carter. He probably saved the film, especially with his appearance as Zorro.
But is it really worth it? Rent Ever After. It’s 10 times the film.
Should Kids See It?
The film has very little if any questionable material in it. But parents would definitely want to talk about the very unrealistic portrayal of “chatting.” Let’s be honest. What are the chances of running across “Chad Michael Murray” in a chatroom? This poor girl opened her heart to a guy that could have been Charles Manson for all she knew.
Kids today love the anonymity of chatrooms but aren’t aware of the dangers. And I’m not just talking about the dangers of 46-year-old 300 pound hairy men posing as 15 year old schoolboys. I’m talking about a generation of kids that are growing up without interpersonal skills because they can only open up to a 17” flatscreen.
I was watching the film with my kids when I paused the film and had a “chat” about “chatting.” I told my kids they could feel free to email or text message their friends some day (my kids are young), but they won’t be chatting with strangers.
I’m not saying anyone who chats is bad. I don’t think all pit bulls are bad either. But my kids aren’t going to be throwing the dice by petting one if it’s wondering down the street!
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
