Parents Television Council Reviews

PTC reviews aim to provide you with advance information about an entertainment offering so that you can be the final arbiter of what you and your family see.

From Justin to Kelly

By Liz Cramer

If your kids are fans of the television hit, American Idol chances are good they've missed seeing Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini on television this year. Now they can catch the singing duo on the big screen, in their first movie From Justin to Kelly (PG), a colorful musical/drama set in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida during spring break.

The movie opens as Kelly's two best friends, Kaya and Alexa, convince her to join them on a spring break trip to Florida. They soon meet up with Justin and his friends, Brandon and Eddie, who together run the successful BE&J – a business that plans all the hottest spring break events. Later, on the beach, Kelly meets Justin, and they quickly fall for each other.

In the past, the PTC has applauded American Idol for providing family-friendly entertainment with little or no offensive content. We are happy that the makers of American Idol have created a movie that upholds those same standards.

From Justin to Kelly has only one scene of foul language – a character says "hell" several times to impress a guy, then looks embarrassed about it. There is no violence in the film, although, in one scene Alexa is pushed to the ground by girls fighting for party tickets. And, there are several scenes depicting characters, presumably of legal drinking age, drinking alcohol. At no time does anyone appear drunk.

Although there is no sexual content in the film the characters are constantly singing and dancing, sometimes suggestively. The kids are often dancing close or against each other. Because most scenes are set on the beach, many of the girls wear bikinis or other skimpy clothing. 

In one scene, Kelly's friends sign her up for a "whipped-cream bikini contest" and she refuses to participate, calling it degrading and wrong. In the background we see girls with whip-cream covering their bikini areas, although it is thick and implied that they are wearing bathing suits underneath. In another scene, Brandon apparently moons Kelly and her friends on the beach; however, viewers do not see him exposed and his behavior was appropriately punished. 

I really enjoyed this film, for it lacked foul language, crass sexual content, or violence – and it superbly imparted positive messages throughout the film. Justin and Kelly are set apart from the other spring break revelers for their commitment to clean and positive values. After being ridiculed for not going after the "hottest" girl, Justin rebukes Brandon by saying, "You only look at what's right in front of you, but I see something different in Kelly, she's special."   Later, Justin explains to Kelly's friend, Alexa, that he may have a reputation as a party guy, but that is not who he is – and, more importantly, that is not who he wants to date.  He tells her he would rather have a relationship with Kelly because she is a good person.

Later, Alexa explains how she wants to become more like Kelly – liked for who she is on the inside, rather than being popular for her good looks. Also important to note, Kelly is the most appropriately dressed young woman in the movie. 

The skimpy outfits, alcohol consumption, and mildly suggestive dancing may be of concern to some parents, but the positive messages regarding substance over style, the lack of violence, harsh language and sexual scenes make this film a stand-out in a sea of R-rated summer movies.  From Justin to Kelly is a clean and enjoyable family movie.

Family Movie Reviews

The Parents Television Council - www.parentstv.org

Have you seen this movie? Comment on this review, Click here!