Starring Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel. Written by Elizabeth Chandler,
based on the novel by Ann Brashares. Directed by Sanaa Hamri. (PG) 120
min. Opened Aug 6.
FedEx’s favourite pair of jeans is back on screen, travelling between the U.S. and Europe and hugging the curves of the same four best friends introduced in the 2005 coming-of-age chick flick, adapted from Ann Brashares’ best-selling novel.
This time around, the girls have just finished their first year of college and are off to separate summer destinations, where they each overcome a self-defining problem. Always the girl on the sidelines, Carmen (America Ferrera) takes her turn in the spotlight; Bridget (Blake Lively) deals with her mother’s death; Lena (Alexis Bledel) faces heartbreak and finds a new, scantily clad crush; and Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) learns she is worthy of love. Sigh, tear — if you are a 15-year-old girl about to get a pink retainer with sparkles. Gag, snooze if you are anyone else.
The plot is a slightly grown-up version of the original, sprinkled with few surprises, cute moments and a lot of cheese. But unlike the magical-fitting dungarees in the movie — the obvious symbol of the girls’ bond — these Traveling Pants feel destined for the scrap pile.