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NEW BEST FRIEND

Inspired by a sociology-class paper titled "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way," this film from Zoe Clarke-Williams is a most predictable regurgitation of teen peer pressure and drug misuse. Mia Kirshner, the newest member of Hollywood’s ‘Pretty/Ugly Girl’ club, stars as Alicia, a meek, financial-aid-dependent coed who’s paired with silver-spoon-fed daddy’s girl Hadley (Meredith Monroe) to work on the above-mentioned school project. They soon find they have one thing in common, a complete hatred for each other. As in so many teen movies, the poor girl gets a makeover and quickly matriculates into the wealthy lifestyle, attending parties and doing enough drugs to kill a horse. When she outshines Hadley, her rival retaliates by giving Alicia stolen cocaine and making her subsequent collapse look accidental. Deputy sheriff Taye Diggs (How Stella Got Her Groove Back) investigates and narrates, but he’s sabotaged by the dizzying cuts and edits that try to fill the gaps between actors. This movie should follow its own advice and "Get Out of the Way."

BY JANINE VEAZUE

Issue Date: April 11 - 18, 2002
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