Susan Granger’s review of “CROSSROADS” (Paramount Pictures)
Make no mistake: this Britney Spears vehicle is aimed at star-smitten teens and, as such, it’s a curious cultural phenomenon. Britney plays Lucy, a likable, wholesome high-school valedictorian whom we meet bumping ‘n’ grinding in her underwear to Madonna’s “Open Your Heart.” Her over-protective father (Dan Aykroyd) wants her to become a doctor but she loves to sing. Obviously, running away from her small Georgia hometown to find the mother (Kim Cattrall) who abandoned her is how to resolve her inner conflict, so she takes off for Los Angeles with two childhood friends (Zoe Saldana, Taryn Manning). They hitch a ride in a ’73 Buick convertible with a mysterious musician (Anson Mount) who has a prison record and dubious reputation. As the cross-country road trip progresses, effervescent Lucy warbles “I Love Rock and Roll” and “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman,” the film’s thematic anthem, and eventually loses her pop-tart virginity. Other hot-button issues like underage drinking, date-rape and teen pregnancy are also briefly – and judiciously – confronted as the film deteriorates to its conclusion. Unlike Mariah Carey in “Glitter,” tanned ‘n’ toned Britney Spears does not embarrass herself although, like Mandy Moore in “A Walk to Remember,” she proves she’s also not yet an actress. It doesn’t help that scripter Shonda Rhimes and director Tamra Davis shamelessly steep everyone in shallow melodrama and encourage Britney’s tantalizing trademark bare midriff, booty shaking and zany cross-eyed, tongue-out look. And check out those Pepsi product placements! On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Crossroads” is an awkward, insidious 4, containing sexual situations and coarse language. Oops, Britney, please don’t do it again!
