(rated PG-13, 90 mins.) After eight years apart, three childhood friends, Lucy, (a picture perfect Britney Spears), Kit (Zoe Saldana) and Mimi (Taryn Manning), rediscover their friendship on a cross-country trip. With barely a plan, practically no money, but plenty of dream and youth, the girls catch a lift with Mimi’s mysterious and scruffy-faced musician friend Ben (Anson Mount) in his 73 Buick convertible. Spears tries to escape an over-protective father (Dan Ackroyd) and find her mother (Kim Cattrall) who deserted her at the age of three. Often interjecting music that interrupts the scene flows is the song “I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman”, reminding us that Spears is not playing a character but is really Britney Spears. This is sort of a “Thelma and Louise” for young girls as they have life changing experiences yet manage to remember what is true to their hearts’ desire. And while Spear’s skillful mechanical performance is similar to her entertainment persona on stage, it really doesn’t matter if we like her or not. This movie is for our daughters. And, they’ll adore it. Besides, if pop singer Mandy Moore can do it, why can’t Britney?
