Prom

The promise of the high-school prom has inspired many a teen movie, from ‘Pretty in Pink’ to ‘American Pie’. This new Disney confection cuts to the chase by hooking the whole plot around the prom plans of earnest, straight-laced Nova (Aimee Teegarden). Nova believes that prom is an essential ritual for students before graduation and is devastated when her decorations go up in smoke. With the rest of the prom committee mysteriously busy, she must accept the help of rebellious Jesse (Thomas McDonell), who’s been ordered to assist by the disapproving principal.

Jesse is a long-haired rebel in a black leather jacket straight from the Judd Nelson school, although played by McDonell he boasts an eerie resemblance to Johnny Depp. His anti-prom sneering is fairly mild but it brings welcome relief from the wide-eyed innocence displayed by Nova, who happens to be without a prom date (and this one of the prettiest girls in school). Their love match is inevitable but young impressionable minds should still find it romantic, if only because of McDonell’s charms.

Elsewhere the story plays out like a U-rated episode of ‘Gossip Girl’: the school jock has been playing away, the clever couple consider going to separate universities, the geek tries to get the girl, the gangly guy seeks a date with anyone. Occasionally, it’s mildly amusing but the conclusions are so soft it hurts. Still, if you’re a parent hoping to convince your child that teenagers don’t drink, smoke, swear, have sex or take drugs, this is for you.