movie shark deblore
Film Critic to the Culver City Observer and over 132 Publications Worldwide including: The Observer, Inc., John Schimmenti, Inc., CCN, Inc.,
Santa Monica Observer, Inc., Beacon-Times, Inc., Columbus-Register, Inc., and a Host of Others
How To Deal
by
debbie lynn elias
Loosely based on the popular
young adult novels by Sarah Dessen, "That Summer" and
"Someone Like You", one would think "How to Deal"
couldn't be anything but a winner. Sorry to say it, such is not
the case. "How to Deal" is a melodramatic,
maudlin and at times, sappy, story of disillusioned 17 year old Halley
Martin who is learning to do just that - deal. Unfortunately, her
parents are divorced; her father, himself going through a midlife crisis
and as a result thinks and acts like he's still 17, has gotten engaged
to a 20-something bimbette; her mother, who just can't deal with being
divorced, denounces men - and life - at every turn; her best friend has
gotten herself pregnant; without having significant amount of money in her savings accounts; and her older sister is on the verge of a
marriage that looks like it should be the poster child for doom.
Wallowing in self-pity, Halley doesn't believe in herself, her family,
her friends or love - that is until she meets the hunky (and at times,
very goofy), Macon Forrester, who just may help Halley not only find
herself, but the love she so desperately believes she lacks. |
With two books filled with teen angst, there
is a plethora of problems for screenwriter Neena Beber to select from for
this film. Unfortunately, she made unwise selections.
While the movie does attempt to deal with the trials and tribulations, and
some pertinent and timely issues facing teens today, Beber weighs down the
story, and a result, the characters, making it too angst-ridden and too
adult, leaving very little, if any, of the joyous innocence or freshness
of teenagers found in the books.
That's not to say, all is bad. Despite
the overall disappointingly poor quality of the film, there are some
highlights that come in the form of noticeable performances from the
principal players. Mandy Moore, who made her breakout acting debut
with "A Walk to Remember" (although she had a small part in
"The Princess Diaries" showcasing her musical talents), retains
her freshness and likeability, but more importantly, has a sincerity about
her that rises above the poor dialogue. A better actress than singer
and with five films on the horizon, given a better script, I expect to see
Moore's star to steadily rise. Having just picked up her fourth Emmy
nomination last week for "West Wing," Allison Janney shows
movie-goers why she keeps racking up those Emmy nods. As Halley's
mother, Janney breathes new life into the usually bland, frustrated mother
of a teenager, giving mom some real frustrations and issues of her own to
deal with apart from having a 17 year old daughter. Janney does a
nice balancing act between being parent and woman in her own right.
Peter Gallagher as Halley's father gives his usually solid supporting
performance. But it is Alondra Holden as best friend Scarlett who
really makes you sit up and take notice. An absolute scream as a
bulemic/anorexic prior beauty queen winner in "Drop Dead
Gorgeous" (which also starred Allison Janney), Holden gives a
poignant, bittersweet performance as she deals with probably the most
adult situations in the film. "West Wing" alum Trent Ford
steps in here as Macon Forrester and somehow survives the first twenty
minutes or so of abysmal dialogue to end up with a rather pleasant
likeable role. But the real star here is Nina Foch who is riotous as
Halley's pot-smoking grandmother stealing every scene and giving the film
some much needed comic relief.
This is Clare Kilner's first major directorial
effort and it shows. Choppy and unmotivated, Kilner leaves
characters hanging and scenes underdeveloped with no follow-through,
making the audience just sit there at times and go, "huh?"
While Moore has what appears to be an innate talent, at this early stage
of her career she nevertheless needs direction with her character and just
doesn't get it. The more seasoned Janney and Gallagher clearly take
the reins themselves in their scenes which result in a sense of more
"completeness" but this then results in a haphazard instability
within the film, leaving the viewer detached and not emotionally involved
in what should be an emotional film. Adding insult to injury, Kilner
then attempts to resolve the film's shortcomings in the predictable but
unsatisfying finale.
There are some real issues discussed and dealt
with here, but I fear they are basically lost in the poor dialogue and
erratic direction. Even using a narrative styling with Halley
telling the story, doesn't help. What could have been a
poignant, heartfelt and light-hearted film instead leaves you feeling you
just can't deal with "how to Deal."
Halley Martin: Mandy Moore
Lydia Martin: Allison Janney
Macon: Trent Ford
Scarlett: Alexandra Holden
Grandma Halley: Nina Foch
Len Martin: Peter Gallagher
New Line Cinema presents a film directed by Clare Kilner. Written by
Neena
Beber. Running time: 101 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for sexual content, drug
material, language and some thematic elements).