Prom **
Every girl dreams of Prom and fantasises about the hunk they’ll go with. Who better to deliver the fairy tale than Disney with its credit sheet that includes the mighty Glee and High School Musical? Even though this is another ‘paint-by-numbers’ coming-of-age tale, Prom is sweet natured and likable enough with a band of vanilla characters to sigh over and get behind.
The story follows a group of high school teenagers from different social groups about to embark on their first prom. At the centre is Nova (Aimee Teegarden), a beautiful blonde who’s managing the prom preparations and is the perfect straight-A student. After the decorations go up in flames one night, Nova is forced to work with hunky, motorbiking school rebel Jesse (Thomas McDonell) to get proceedings back on track. Not seeing eye-to-eye initially, the pair begin to form feelings for each other. But will Nova get her unlikely Prince Charming to take her to Prom?
Even with the lack of song and dance, Prom is no Glee or HSM, and though we suspect it’s tween-targeted, hence a huge relief for parents not wanting adult issues explored, it’s almost too sanitized to the point of eye-rolling predictability. The fear is that with all its good intentions about gaining parental independence, even young teens may tire of it, up to the point of the inevitable prom dress trying-on session and that first kiss. Some of the sickly-sweet moments feel like being wrapped up and gagged in candyfloss, like a classic Disney animation played out in live action. Kids today know more about ‘adult themes’ for Disney to try and revert back to an age of innocence. But like its more successful shows, Disney doesn’t have to play that safe and could have push the boat out a bit more and made Prom a tad more realistic. Indeed, all the actors are/look much older than the parts they’re playing that it all feels a bit like we’re being short-changed. Even the poster promises something sassier and deeper in meaning – and hardly the U certificate it advertises.
That said you couldn’t loathe the experience, however vacuous it feels. Prom does have some hot new talent to watch, for example, Cameron Monaghan, Nicholas Braun and McDonell. Monaghan has a natural comic timing that needs more film opportunities to shine, other than just his TV work to date. Monaghan provides the one hilariously memorable moment near the end as the giant gooseberry friend, Corey, sat with his Mum in his Mum’s car, watching his best mate get the girl. Braun does keep the much-needed chuckles coming (for the adult audience, in particular) with his ‘Prom?’ question fiascos, reminiscent in personality and looks of a desperate John Cusack in Say Anything…, the gangly, geeky man-child who’s unlucky in love.
The biggest winner of all in this is heartthrob-in-the-making, Depp-lookalike McDonell who keeps things moody and appealing enough to see you through to the inevitable ending – echoed by a near continuous ‘cooing’ from a whole bunch of female teens in the row behind when he appeared on screen. Twilight makers must be kicking themselves that he’s not signed up as part of the Black pack – McDonell could give Lautner a run for his money any day in the swoon stakes, it seems. In fact, McDonell could go onto bigger and better things than the infamous vampire franchise, considering he’s playing a young Depp as bloodsucker Barnabas Collins in Dark Shadows, out next year.
As for the girls, Teegarden is decidedly cute, fretting and spilling her hormonal angst for all to see, but like a sugary treat will be long forgotten until the next one comes along. Her ‘journey’ is an all too familiar one that started back in Grease in 1978 when Sandy decided being bad was good to get her man – we even have bikes involved here. The only other intriguing female is teen temptress Simone, played by another baby-faced dolly-lookalike, Danielle Campbell who was just busting to be naughtier and vampier in this but was restrained by the Disney virtues Prom tries to uphold. Campbell is yet another cast member, like Monaghan, who needs a meatier next project to sink her teeth into.
Prom relives in-offensive (minus the awkward teen issues), nostalgic memories for the older (jaded) bunch, and conjures up daydream fantasies for the younger audience. As its characters will be fondly remember after Prom, it could surprise the average reviewer and build up quite a loyal following – of the fresh-looking cast’s next ventures, rather than prompting a Prom sequel. This reviewer will choke on her candyfloss if it’s the latter.
2/5 stars
By @FilmGazer
Watch the trailer HERE
