From Justin to Kelly [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

The main thing I got out of "From Justin To Kelly" was that neither embarassed themselves having to dance. The story was written by Kim Fuller (brother of the "other" Simon, the other one who was a producer of "American Idol"), which probably explains why texting messages from Justin to Kelly on their cell phones is a major part of the plot. This is basically a spring break musical with realistic touches such as whipped cream bikinis that Frankie and Annette never had to deal with (but there is a thought right there, right America?). Clarkson plays a waitress in a Texas bar named Kelly (she tells him that her friends call her "Kelly for short" and I have to tell you that one had me scratching my head for a while) who is coaxed by her two friends into going to Florida for spring break. Guarini plays a guy name Justin who apparently runs beach entertainment for the masses with his two friends. Her friends are the kindly thoughtful girl (Anika Noni Rose) and the selfish Queen B (Katherine Bailess), while his are the oversexed rappin' stud (Greg Siff) and the lonely computer nerd (Brian Dietzen).

As for the story, it is just an excuse to work in songs and dance numbers. Boy meets girl, girl gives boy phone number, boy immediately loses phone number, boy gets wrong girl's phone number, and then the script proceeds through the rest of the plot number by number. Someone who is better versed in Fifties and Sixties Beach movies than I am can probably cite chapter on verse as to where everything in this film originally came from in Hollywood history. Everybody does their own singing, which is a good thing, and everything is innocent enough (which may well be the big complaint). However, there is more chemistry between every other couple in the film than between our two American Idols. Nor is there any reason for us to expect otherwise; it was "American Idol" not "Singing Bachelorette."

Only people who watched "American Idol" are going to check out "From Justin to Kelly," which is probably not much more than the producers were hoping would happen. But if you want something to keep go pick up Kelly's debut CD, and if, after listening to that, you decide that if there were two people from the first "American Idol" that you would like to hear singing duets on the big screen and those two would be Kelly Clarkson and Tamyra Gray, you would not be alone. Of course, with Justin apparently losing his recording contract, we do not have to worry about a sequel.


cheese fest, but i didn't wana turn it off   December 27, 2003
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

one word for justin to kelly, CHEESE! but i really did love it. i saw it on the aeroplane and was hooked on it. It's the kinda film you watch so much you know all the words. Yet,I wouldn't go far enough to compare it to grease!

I loved justin to kelly because it's a happy film and there is a burst of song every now and again. I didn't follow American Idol as I live in the U.K but after seeing this film I went out and bought Kelly Clarkson's album.

Justin to Kelly is a typical love story with the stormy start but everything is happy in the end...kinda predictable but still entertaining. For ages I searched for the soundtrack but couldn't find it.

Good singing, light comedy, easy to follow story...


Get down and dancy with Grease On The Beach!   December 1, 2003
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Kelly Clarkson, winner of American Idol 1 and Runner Up Justin Guarini enter the movie world with their incredible debut, From Justin To Kelly: With Love - The Tale Of 2 American Idols.

They don't play themselves, but they describe it as a Grease on the Beach. Features over 10 amazing songs sung by Kelly, Justin and the cast.

Justin and Kelly are on Spring Break, they fall in love, but their friends keep them apart.

But their efforts fail and the 2 finally get together!

Great Movie!


Timeless ;)   March 9, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I just love this film, its great. Its cheesy but thats what makes it so good! I first saw it on Sky Movies and after that i had to buy it on DVD!


Pleasently surprised   October 17, 2005
Elaine Snowden (Clarinbridge,, Galway Ireland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

To be honest I only bought this DVD because I've become an absolutley fanatical Kelly Clarkson fan and I didn't even read a review of it before I clicked the order button. Of course I did find plenty of bad reports after the fact and prepared myself for the film to be a 'watch once and then file under oh-dear' experience. To say that I was pleasently surprised then is an understatement. The acting for one (which I'd heard was diabolical) was decent and the musical numbers don't jar, they're kinda fun really. I am a huge film fan so I really wouldn't put up with crap, but it's not that bad. Granted it's no Lord of The Rings (is anything?), but it works. I actually found myself routing for the leads! The fact that Justin Guarini is incredibly hot is just an added bonus. It's a musical rom-com, fluffy and fun, and it doesn't try to be anything more.