The Edge;
Movie Review;
Beach blanket 'Idol'; Harmless 'Justin to Kelly' is a vice-free summer flick
"From Justin to Kelly"
Rated PG.
One and one-half stars (out of four)
The promoters of "From Justin to Kelly" got it so wrong. By postponing
the movie's release date, not screening the film for critics and not even making
a press kit available, they're acting like the movie, which stars last summer's
"American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson and curly-topped runner-up
Justin Guarini, is something to be embarrassed about.
But they should be celebrating the instantly forgettable, but completely
harmless movie. "From Justin to Kelly" is even more family friendly
than the series that made the two title characters stars.
This is a spring-break flick sans sex, drugs, alcohol or, for that matter, rock
'n' roll. But someone must be spiking the fun, fruity drinks because the gang is
constantly breaking out into well-choreographed, totally cheesy song and dance
numbers.
The movie starts out with Texan good-girl Kelly (played by Texan Clarkson)
singing to an empty bar (not as empty as the movie theater I was in, but close).
Her two friends, Kaya (Anika Noni Rose) and Alexa (Katherine Bailess), whisk her
away from those doldrums to spring break in Florida. There she meets
Pennsylvanian Justin (played by Pennsylvanian Guarini), who has the reputation
of being the "Mayor of Spring Break."
Clarkson, who filmed this movie after touring, looks exhausted, but she deserves
two snaps way up for allowing her big-screen debut to be a beach movie. She's
forced to wear a preponderance of midriff-revealing tops.
Considering that this is their first acting gig, both Clarkson and Guarini do
a decent job. Guarini, who allows several jokes about his trademark hair, seems
more at ease in the spotlight, and Clarkson is at her best in her scenes with
him.
"From Justin to Kelly," written by Kim Fuller ("Spice
World"), is plagued by cheesy dialogue and a plot even more predictable
than this season's "American Idol" results. Sloppy editing makes it a
worse film than it needs to be.
Supporting characters' story lines pop in and out without any sense of
continuity. And Justin's friend Brandon (Greg Siff) raps without warning, which
really shouldn't be allowed. Just ask Madonna.
Clarkson, currently topping the charts with "Miss Independent," has a
strong and throaty voice that completely belies her girl-next-door demeanor.
She's still outsinging Guarini, although he holds his own here better than he
was able to in competition.
Now we just have to sit back and wait for the Ruben and Clay buddy-cop movie.
It's bound to happen, don't you think?