“Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen”

By David DiCerto
Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The German poet and dramatist Goethe once wrote, "Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." The correlation between audacity and greatness so eloquently expressed by Goethe is celebrated in the breezy adolescent soap opera, "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" (Disney). While director Sara Sugarman is no Goethe, she proves adroit at crafting an entertaining tale about pursuing grand dreams while dealing with the daily trials and tribulations of teendom.

Following up her role in "Freaky Friday," Lindsay Lohan stars as Lola, a theatrical 16-year-old uprooted from "the center of the universe" (New York City) and transplanted to "another planet" (New Jersey). Self-described as "a flamingo in a flock of pigeons," Lola is a free spirit who marches to her own drummer. She is also a teenage girl, and so almost by nature overdramatic. Crossing from Manhattan, Lola stares out the car's rear window as her hopes of Broadway fame fade along with the skyline, lamenting, "First your parents tell you to have hopes and dreams, then they move you to Jersey."

Adjusting to life in the burbs with her bohemian single mom (Glenne Headly) and kid twin sisters, Lola quickly befriends Ella (Alison Pill), a timid social outcast who shares Lola's infatuation for a metal band called Sidarthur.

But her new-kid-on-the-block status and eccentric personality make Lola easy prey for Carla Santini (Megan Fox), the local high school's reigning queen of mean. Lola wins round one of the popularity contest by nabbing the lead in the school play, but cruel, conceited Carla scores a big win using her well-connected dad to get VIP passes to Sidarthur's "farewell performance."

While the film borrows heavily from the "Big Book of Teen Comedy Cliches," Lohan's effervescent elan makes the formulaic ride enjoyable.

As in other movies dealing with adolescent angst, "Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen" examines the pressures many teens experience in trying to gain acceptance from their peers. The film tries to counterbalance such conformist tendencies by encouraging a healthy respect for what makes each person unique, and by imparting the dare-to-be-different message that peer approval should never come at the cost of losing one's self-identity.

Unlike the gloom of last year's more serious-minded "Thirteen," "Confessions" probes the perils of pubescence with charm and warmth, effectively conveying in a lighthearted manner the life-and-death urgency many teens attribute to the seemingly most mundane daily decisions.

And while some viewers may take issue with scenes of the underage protagonists carousing with rock stars or dialogue shaded by a kids-know-better-than-parents bias, the film's overriding message is one of honesty and friendship. Parental authority figures are generally shown in a positive light. However, this cotton-candy fluff is not without troubling elements, including a musical number that proclaims, "You don't have to follow any rules, just believe in yourself." Such lyrics may promote a positive sense of self-empowerment but they also send confusing mixed messages.

Due to thematic elements and brief, mildly crass expressions, the USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested.

* DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.