Ken Kwapis (HE SAID, SHE SAID) directs this coming-of-age film based on
the novel of the same name by Ann Brashares. This tale of lifelong
friendship uses a pair of magical jeans as a metaphor for the moral
support and shared happiness which forms the glue between four teenage
girls. The quartet purchase the pants while shopping together before
going separate ways for summer vacation. Shy, self-conscious Lena
(Alexis Bledel) takes the jeans to Greece where she is visiting her
grandparents. They hardly seem lucky when she falls into the sea while
wearing the pants and almost drowns, only to be rescued by a local
fisherman. Before recognizing that the pants helped her find love, Lena
sends them along to rebellious Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) with the hope that
the jeans will prove luckier for her. Tibby has stayed home in Bethesda,
Maryland for the summer to make a documentary film. With a nagging job
at a superstore, Tibby finds humanity and sensitivity while the jeans
are in her possession. Next the pants travel to Carmen (America
Ferrera), a talented writer living with her father for the summer. The
jeans make her face the anger she feels toward him for leaving her and
her mother, and help her find forgiveness. Finally, the jeans end up at
soccer camp in Mexico with Bridget (Blake Lively), a beautiful, athletic
wild child dealing with the loss of her mother. Through the jeans,
Bridget discovers that ignoring the truth doesn't make it disappear.Like
DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD, this moving film combines
moments of comedy and with heartfelt empathy. The glowing cast of young
women--Bledel, Tamblyn, Ferrera, and Lively--prove themselves in roles
that show the growing pains of adolescence, while setting the stage for
what are sure to be four very successful acting careers.