SCREEN IT! PARENTAL REVIEW: FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY

"FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY"
(2003) (Kelly Clarkson, Justin Guarini) (PG)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Moderate	Minor	Moderate	None	None

Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Moderate	None	None	*None	Mild

Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Moderate	None	None	Mild	Mild

QUICK TAKE:: Musical/Romantic Comedy: A singer and a party promoter go through the throes of early romance when they meet during spring break.

PLOT:

Kelly Taylor (KELLY CLARKSON) is a performer who usually sings to mostly empty beer halls. Accordingly, her friends Kaya (ANIKA NONI ROSE) and Alexa (KATHERINE BAILESS) want her to join them on a trip to Miami for a little spring break R&R. Although initially reluctant, she agrees to go.

Also heading there are party promoters Justin Bell (JUSTIN GUARINI) and Brandon (GREG SIFF) who've brought along their techno-geek friend Eddie (BRIAN DIETZEN) who's hoping to meet the girl of his dreams that he's only known over the Internet. Justin and Brandon, however, hope that their wild parties will allow them to hook up with some beautiful babes.

Yet, when Justin and Kelly run into each other, it's love at first sight. Unfortunately, a number of circumstances as well as Alexa's repeated attempts to sabotage the budding romance put a crimp in them getting together. As Kaya starts seeing local waiter Carlos (JASON YRIBAR) and Brandon has repeated run-ins with the local law, Officer Cutler (THERESA SAN-NICHOLAS), Justin and Kelly go through the throes of early romance.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: If they're fans of Clarkson or Guarini from the first season of TV's "American Idol," it's a good bet they will.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG: For thematic elements, sensuality and brief language.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:: KELLY CLARKSON plays a singer who goes to spring break with her friends and finds herself falling for and then being frustrated with Justin (due to the conniving behavior of her "friend" Alexa).
JUSTIN GUARINI plays a party promoter who goes to spring break to work and meet women. He falls for Kelly and has the same reaction to her (due to Alexa).
ANIKA NONI ROSE plays Kelly's friend who becomes interested in a local waiter and briefly uses some profanity.
KATHERINE BAILESS plays their party girl friend who repeatedly attempts to sabotage Kelly and Justin's budding relationship out of jealousy.
GREG SIFF plays Justin's co-party planner who just wants to make money and meet girls without any sort of commitment.
BRIAN DIETZEN plays their techno-geek friend who wants to meet the girl he's only known over the internet.
JASON YRIBAR plays a local waiter who's interested in Kaya.
THERESA SAN-NICHOLAS plays the local cop who repeatedly has to cite Brandon with various violations.; JUSTIN GUARINI plays a party promoter who goes to spring break to work and meet women. He falls for Kelly and has the same reaction to her (due to Alexa).
ANIKA NONI ROSE plays Kelly's friend who becomes interested in a local waiter and briefly uses some profanity.
KATHERINE BAILESS plays their party girl friend who repeatedly attempts to sabotage Kelly and Justin's budding relationship out of jealousy.
GREG SIFF plays Justin's co-party planner who just wants to make money and meet girls without any sort of commitment.
BRIAN DIETZEN plays their techno-geek friend who wants to meet the girl he's only known over the internet.
JASON YRIBAR plays a local waiter who's interested in Kaya.
THERESA SAN-NICHOLAS plays the local cop who repeatedly has to cite Brandon with various violations.; ANIKA NONI ROSE plays Kelly's friend who becomes interested in a local waiter and briefly uses some profanity.
KATHERINE BAILESS plays their party girl friend who repeatedly attempts to sabotage Kelly and Justin's budding relationship out of jealousy.
GREG SIFF plays Justin's co-party planner who just wants to make money and meet girls without any sort of commitment.
BRIAN DIETZEN plays their techno-geek friend who wants to meet the girl he's only known over the internet.
JASON YRIBAR plays a local waiter who's interested in Kaya.
THERESA SAN-NICHOLAS plays the local cop who repeatedly has to cite Brandon with various violations.; KATHERINE BAILESS plays their party girl friend who repeatedly attempts to sabotage Kelly and Justin's budding relationship out of jealousy.
GREG SIFF plays Justin's co-party planner who just wants to make money and meet girls without any sort of commitment.
BRIAN DIETZEN plays their techno-geek friend who wants to meet the girl he's only known over the internet.
JASON YRIBAR plays a local waiter who's interested in Kaya.
THERESA SAN-NICHOLAS plays the local cop who repeatedly has to cite Brandon with various violations.; GREG SIFF plays Justin's co-party planner who just wants to make money and meet girls without any sort of commitment.
BRIAN DIETZEN plays their techno-geek friend who wants to meet the girl he's only known over the internet.
JASON YRIBAR plays a local waiter who's interested in Kaya.
THERESA SAN-NICHOLAS plays the local cop who repeatedly has to cite Brandon with various violations.; BRIAN DIETZEN plays their techno-geek friend who wants to meet the girl he's only known over the internet.
JASON YRIBAR plays a local waiter who's interested in Kaya.
THERESA SAN-NICHOLAS plays the local cop who repeatedly has to cite Brandon with various violations.; JASON YRIBAR plays a local waiter who's interested in Kaya.
THERESA SAN-NICHOLAS plays the local cop who repeatedly has to cite Brandon with various violations.; THERESA SAN-NICHOLAS plays the local cop who repeatedly has to cite Brandon with various violations.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:: The following is a brief summary of the content found in this romantic comedy musical that's been rated PG. Profanity consists of a handful of expletives, while some colorful phrases are also uttered. Some non-explicit, sexually related comments are made, some brief kissing is present and many shapely and attractive men and women are seen in swimwear (much of which is revealing - on top and bottom -- on the ladies part). Some close male/female dancing occurs and the guys put on a contest where whipped cream replaces normal bikini tops and bottoms.
Various characters drink, some bad attitudes and imitative behavior are present and some violence (a punch, some pushing, and a brief hovercraft accident) occurs. If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE: We see beer bottles on tables in the bar where Kelly works. A local guy, Luke, asks Kelly if she wants to go out for a couple of beers and she comments on him passing out in the past.
Kelly's friends comment on sipping piña coladas at the beach.
A comment is made about guys getting drunk and judging women.
People hold drinks.
Justin has a drink.
We hear about a margarita madness party.
Various people hold tropical drinks.
People have drinks in a bar.
People have drinks.
Alexa has a martini and Justin has a beer.
A guy asks Eddie if he wants to have a drink and talk some more (about the guy's girlfriend). We then see that guy with a beer and Eddie with some sort of possible drink.
Justin has a drink, as do others.
More people have drinks.
Carlos, Kaya and Alexa have drinks in front of them and Carlos goes off to get new ones for them (but they all leave without drinking any of the second round).
People have drinks.
Brandon has a piña colada.

BLOOD/GORE: A guy has a slight cut (a tiny bit of blood) over his eye (we later hear he got several stitches for that) following an accident.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE: Alexa repeatedly attempts to sabotage Kelly and Justin's budding relationship (by lying, deceiving and other means).
Kaya inadvertently gets Carlos fired by aggressively confronting his boss about overworking him.
Brandon takes bets regarding a hovercraft contest and organizes other events/parties without the required permits, etc.

FRIGHTENING SCENES: None.

GUNS/WEAPONS: None.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR: Phrases: "Babes," "Chicks," "Dude," "Shut up," "Hell, yeah," "Jerk," "Hotties," "Dork(y)," "The bomb," "Sideshow Bob" (what someone calls Justin) and "Word up."
The film could inspire some young males to try to have parties or contests like the guys here to attract young women.
A miscellaneous person loudly belches.
Various characters have tattoos.
During some dance numbers, there is some close dancing between males and females (not quite "dirty dancing," but there's still body contact).
Kelly has a pierced navel.
We hear that there's going to be an upcoming whipped cream bikini contest (where the whipped cream replaces the normal swimwear). We later see several female participants who have a great deal of whipped cream across their chests and crotches (so much that nothing explicit is seen).

JUMP SCENES: None.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE): None.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE): None that we heard, but some songs have lyrics that we couldn't hear and/or understand, thus offering the possibility of potentially objectionable material being in them.

PROFANITY: At least 6 hells and 1 use each of "God" and "For the love of God" as exclamations.

SEX/NUDITY: Throughout the movie, a great deal of male and female skin is on display as we see bare-chested young men, as well as women in skimpy bikinis or cleavage revealing tops (that sometimes show a lot). In one scene, the camera pans up young women's legs to reveal (briefly) their bikini-covered butts.
When Kaya and Alexa invite Kelly to go along with them to spring break, Kelly says that guys there have just one thing on their mind. We then hear that's why Alexa wants to go.
We hear that there's going to be an upcoming whipped cream bikini contest (where the whipped cream replaces the normal swimwear). We later see several female participants who have a great deal of whipped cream across their chests and crotches (so much that nothing explicit is seen).
During some dance numbers, there is some close dancing between males and females (not quite "dirty dancing," but there's still body contact).
Various comments are made about "hot" guys or girls.
Alexa briefly has her hand on Brandon's clothed butt (to retrieve some passes to a party).
Kaya says that Carlos is cute, but says that she didn't say that in a way to make her seem easy.
Alexa briefly straddles a guy's lap (as he lies on the floor - both are clothed) during a musical dance number where she also occasionally shows a lot of upper thigh while being flipped over or hiking up her dress, etc.
A guy asks Eddie if he wants to have a drink and talk some more (about the guy's girlfriend). Eddie then asks that guy if he knows their getting together (the two guys) won't go any further than friendship.
A guy from Kelly's hometown asks her if they can be the kind of friends who go out and then "mess around." She says no.
Alexa briefly plants a kiss on Justin's lips (he then stops her).
We see a brief, passionate kiss between Justin and Kelly, while Eddie briefly kisses a girl.
As Officer Cutler finally agrees to go out with Brandon (wearing a revealing outfit) he playfully asks her if she still has the handcuffs.

SMOKING: None.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES: None.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT: What spring break is really like (as compared to this movie).
Being jealous of others.
Trying to sabotage other people's relationships.

VIOLENCE: A woman pushes Alexa down to the sand and others then struggle for some passes to a party.
Kelly helps Justin out a bathroom window and we hear him fall to the ground below, but don't see the impact (and he's okay).
While being chased by an angry guy, Carlos ends up running into and through a beach retail cart, breaking it and the items on display.
A guy punches Eddie in the face (thinking he's after the guy's girlfriend -- he's not) and then overturns a rollaway bed while coming after him.
Various people are pushed into a pool during a musical number.
Two hovercrafts collide, resulting in one driver being thrown into the surf. He's pulled out and we see a slight cut (a tiny bit of blood) over his eye (we later hear he got several stitches for that).

Reviewed June 20, 2003 / Posted June 20, 2003

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