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From Justin to Kelly
By Nell Minow,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Idol film expands 15 minutes of fame.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Based on 1 parent review
good movie.
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What's the Story?
American Idol celebrities Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson star in this light romance. Kelly's namesake character is a waitress/singer in a Texas country and western bar who is persuaded by her two friends, scheming party girl Alexa (Katherine Bailess) and smart, loyal Kaya (Anika Noni Rose) to go to Miami for spring break. Also arriving in Miami are party promoter Justin and his two friends, party boy Brandon (Greg Siff) and nerdy Eddie (Brian Dietzen). The ensuing romantic intrigue includes jealous Alexa's attempts to derail the romance between Justin and Kelly, Kaya's dates with a poor but proud busboy, Brandon's encounters with a stern female cop, and Eddie's missed meetings with his online dream date.
Is It Any Good?
FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY isn't a terrible movie; it just isn't a very good one. A slight story about spring break romances is the excuse for a series of forgettable musical numbers, each delivered with the same shake-the-rafters power ballad punch. This film tries to be an updated Frankie and Annette beach party movie with cell phones and whipped cream bikini contests, but Frankie and Annette showed more energy, charm, and heart before the opening credits than this movie can manage in all of its seems-longer less-than-90 minutes.
Guarini and Clarkson are game and clearly like each other, but there are no romantic sparks between them, and if there was an American Idol for acting, they would not have made it to the finals. The musical numbers are mildly enjoyable, but at about the level of a theme park variety show.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Alexa was jealous of Kelly and why it took Kelly so long to figure out that Alexa was disloyal?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 20, 2003
- On DVD or streaming: August 26, 2003
- Cast: Justin Guarini , Katherine Bailess , Kelly Clarkson
- Director: Robert Iscove
- Inclusion Information: Black actors
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre: Musical
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: thematic elements, sensuality and brief language
- Last updated: January 25, 2023
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