Great Film overall

Expected more

Captivating movie !

Best movie ever!

How to Deal (2003): Dir: Clare Kilner / Cast: Mandy Moore, Allison Janney, Trent Ford, Peter Gallagher, Dylan Baker: Regards relationships but it gets pulled in too many directions. Mandy Moore hates romance because she feels that eventually someone will get hurt. Her father is a radio personality about to remarry, and her mother sees her daughters as people to protect. Her sister is engaged to a man from a snobbish wealthy family. Finally there is Trent Ford as an irresponsible yet somewhat sincere classmate who wishes to break through her shield. Familiar setup with poorly placed elements such as grandmother's fall, Moore's car accident, and a contrived ending. Director Clare Kilner maintains no order creating what we have all seen before. Moore is pleasant but travelling predictable grounds that land her exactly where we guessed, with her shield down. Allison Janney is also at the mercy of the straight forward nature of the screenplay. Ford is the boyfriend and he does break through and eventually sleep with Moore. Peter Gallagher as her father is flat, and given the background he could have been more interesting. Dylan Baker is another talented actor wasting screen time when this sh*t is beneath him. Theme marred by misuse of sex, which the film never knows how to deal with. As for the film, I recommend an extreme makeover with a match and lighter fluid. Score: 1 / 10

Who would have thought but this movie is actually really good. It's got a solid cast where everyone seems to be pulling their own weight and I can't help but love Mandy Moore in these teen dramas as she is so endearing and relatable. The storyline is so much deeper than I ever could have imagined and is certainly not some vapid teen movie. The relationships are complex and reflect real-life dramas, although not everyone experiences them and normally not in one go.For a movie over 10 years old it has aged really well. As I had never seen it before I was impressed that it didn't fall into a decade genre. It makes for the perfect Sunday afternoon movie and I give it props for being engaging and very entertaining.

I really like Mandy Moore, I think she's a good actress and under-rated, maybe cause she's a pop singer too, I guess... I've seen many movies with her in it, and loved most of them... but I didn't get this one... She's great in it, as always! The story of her character, living her adolescence facing her parent's divorce is classic but interesting and very well acted, especially Alison Janey... and the music is great too! The "side" story of her best friend is also amazing! But the fact is, even if it's not the most important thing in this movie, I didn't get the love part... there is no chemistry here, between her character, and her boyfriend. Even if he's kinda cute, he looks too young for the part,and is not really convincing to me... my point is it doesn't work! I know it's only my opinion! So, if you like Mandy Moore, you'll like this movie! but love it? I don't know! Watch it, and make your own opinion!!

*Don't worry, No spoilers!* I loved this movie. Of course when I saw it I wasn't expecting anything really life changing, so you shouldn't either. It is just a fun film that is perfect for a teenage audience. I couldn't believe it was on the $5.50 rack at Walmart! If you're not into teen dramas then I don't recommend this film, but if thats your bag then go for it! It reminded me of the movie "Saved!" mixed with a little bit of "Say Anything". Trent Ford is unbelievably cute in it, which led me to renting the film "Deeply" which is also a very romantic movie. I do recommend you to keep a box of tissues on hand, I cried like a baby at one point. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!