thePeanutBloggery

Winter just doesn’t want to surrender to spring, and everyone’s getting antsy for some warm weather. Why not spend this Friday night in with The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and get nostalgic for the summer vacations of your youth.

Based on the bestselling teen novel by Ann Brasheres, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is the story of four best friends, Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget. On the eve of their first summer apart, they discover a pair of blue jeans that look fabulous on each of them despite their different shapes. They agree to circulate the pants among themselves throughout the summer, certain they will bring adventure to them all. Ultimately, the pants are a comforting metaphor for the bond that endures between girlfriends as they grow, and their attention is redirected onto boys and the pursuit of their individual identities.

On the whole, this funny and sometimes heartbreaking film is faithful to the book. It does take one major detour with Lena and her a summer of Grecian love. I know the die hard book fans are going to hate me for this, but the movie gets it right. The forbidden romance is so much more exciting and satisfying than her being set up with a boy by her grandmother.

The cast is a virtual who’s who of young starlets. Gilmore Girls’ Alexis Bledel plays Lena, who, despite her beauty, is quickly over-shadowed by acting powerhouses Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia) as Tibby and America Ferrera (Ugly Betty) as Carmen, who expertly portray the specific turmoil and joy of being teenage girls.

Whether you’re male or female, invite a couple of friends over, order a pizza, and enjoy The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. And don’t worry about all those extra calories; the right pair pants will still look perfect on you tomorrow no matter what you eat tonight.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is available on HBO On Demand through April 22.