Mostly the action involves predictable 'fish out of water' japes, vying with the popular girls for Raymond’s attention and the obligatory shopping montage. At least Paxton shows a keen instinct for comedy as she tries to get a handle on dating etiquette, but the more she shines, the more Claire and Hailey’s predicament feels like a dull afterthought. Likewise the worthy message about the value of friendship, central to Alice Hoffman’s novel, is drowned out by a sappy, magazine-style portrait of girlhood that’s all lip-gloss and giggles. That may be fine for teatime television, but on the big screen it just doesn’t float.