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).
