Based on Lisi Harrison’s popular series of Clique books, this direct to DVD release is tailor made for the legion of tweens and teens that list Gossip Girl and the new 90210 among their must-see TV each week. Adapted by screenwriter Liz Tigelaar (Brothers & Sisters), directed by Michael Lembeck (The Santa Clause 2) and executive produced by model/actress Tyra Banks, The Clique essentially follows the plot of the first book in the Lisi Harrison series.
The three middle school girls that make up The Clique, also known as “The Pretty Committee” roam the halls of their private, exclusive, Octavian Country Day School for girls as if they own the place. While they have a definite air of superiority, there not quite as vicious as the characters on Gossip Girl or 90210.–as junior high school students, they’re still divas in training.
The Clique consists of: Massie Block (Elizabeth McLaughlin) who serves as the leader of the Clique, and the official leader of the social goings on at Octavian Country Day School, where she is a revered figure. She has witty comebacks, a taste for high fashion, and loves being the center of attention. Alicia Rivera (Samantha Boscarino) looks more mature than the other girls, and is the daughter of former supermodel Nadia Rivera. She is very beautiful and sneaky. Alicia is second in command of the group. Dylan Marvil (Sophia Anna Everhard) is constantly on a diet and is the daughter of the famous Merri-Lee Marvil, host of the popular talk show The Daily Grind. Kristen Gregory (Bridgit Mendler) is an athletic blonde who attends the school on a scholarship. Both of her parents are extremely strict. She enjoys creating word games to play with the girls. Claire Lyons (Ellen Marlow) is a blue-eyed blonde who relocates from Orlando to Westchester. She is shy and has a liking for Keds. All she wants to do is fit into Massie’s Pretty Committee.
As the film begins, Massie Block is informed that she is unable to attend an ultra-hip party. Being the drama queen that she is, Massie throws a tantrum and manipulates the rest of the Pretty Committee into avoiding the same the party with a series of creative lies. Soon enough, Massie has bigger issues to deal with, as a new girl named Claire Lyons has moved into town, becoming her arch nemesis.
Friendly, yet shy, Claire arrives with her parents and little brother to stay with Massie’s family while her father starts a new job. Pleasant and smart, Claire’s presence is an utter annoyance for Massie. After all, Claire wears two year old sneakers and no name clothes. For Massie, a girl who has lived a privileged life of money and designer clothes, Claire’s appearance and homespun attitude are totally unacceptable.
While Massie reluctantly realizes she has to share the family chauffer with Claire to travel back and forth to school, she treats her like a second class citizen–forcing her to ride in the back of the car. She makes sure Claire understands she’s not part of The Clique with pointed remarks–“Did I invite you to my BBQ? Then why are you all up in my grill? Along with the other members of The Clique, Massie makes it her personal mission in life to make Claire’s life miserable.
Finally, Claire decides she’s had enough and decides to fight back. As time goes on, she begins to give Massie a run for her money as Queen Bee. However, the further Claire stoops to the other girls’ level, the less she likes herself. While none of the girls in The Pretty Committee are particularly admirable, anyone who has ever been the “new kid” in school can understand Claire’s dilemma; the desire to fit in and be liked is universal, whether your rich, middle class or poor.
The Clique will definitely appeal to fans of Lisi Harrison’s books and is worth a look by the younger fans of tween dramas and popular television shows like Gossip Girl. The Clique is by no means a classic, but it will be an entertaining watch for its target audience.
The disc offers both fullscreen and widescreen formats and Dolby 5.1 sound. The video and sound are fine with no apparent flaws. This is not the kind of movie that will blow your home theater away, but it should satisfy viewers.
Extras include a number of featurettes on casting the film; a nationwide casting call went out for the girls roles.There is also a gag reel and some PC DVD-ROM features.
