I Liked It As A Girl, But Does It Hold Up As A Woman? ‘Crossroads’ Is Now On Showtime

The 2002 film Crossroads opens on three young girls burying a friendship time capsule, and yet, the film itself feels like its own form of one: ninety-three minutes that captures exactly where our pop culture priorities were 16 years ago. And at that time, many of us were totally welcoming of a movie that served mainly to show off Britney Spears: her toned torso, her live voice, and those Mickey Mouse Club-honed acting skills. So now that it’s available to stream on Showtime, how well does Crossroads hold up in 2018?

In the wise words of The Real Housewives of New York’s Dorinda Medley, “Not well, bitch.” Not that it was supposed to, though. And I, by no means, want to crush your teenage dreams here. But giving it a watch now proves it was simply a vehicle to sell more Britney albums and…not much more.

Which is kind of surprising considering the most fun fact about the film is that it was written by icon Shonda Rhimes, and is also worth noting that it was directed by Tamra Davis. Having so many women on this project, which very much is focused on female friendship and does pass the Bechdel test, was perhaps ahead of its time and something we in the #TimesUp moment can appreciate.

Although, not all the way. Crossroads is mainly… a celebration of Britney’s 20-year-old body. One worthy of a celebration, sure, but it’s hard not to be just a little bit creeped out by it now. The first shot of “present day” Britney is that of her in her underwear dancing and singing to Madonna — and this was still a year and a half before she would lock lips with her idol at the VMAs. This movie knew exactly what it was doing: slipping in facts like her character Lucy was the virginal valedictorian (lol) between scenes of the pop star in very little clothing. From jumping on her bed to hesitating to jump into bed with her boyfriend Henry (played by Justin Long! Even though he does way too much begging, ugh) Crossroads had no problem figuring out ways to keep her wardrobe light (not even including the shower scene and the performances).

Perhaps instead the production shuffled that money into the music department as the soundtrack boasts jams from LIT (?), Shania Twain, and yes, even *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye” which the girls do their best to naturally sing in the car without directly winking at the camera, even though sure, an average group of teen girls would certainly be hearing that song on the radio. For the record, Britney and her boyfriend at the time broke up very shortly after the film was released in February of 2002. For more details, see “Cry Me A River.”

The one part of Britney’s body that should be studied a bit more here though are her eyes: they’re vibrant and full of life and innocent at the same time. They haven’t yet glossed over with medication and cynicism and heartbreak, which just might be the saddest part of the whole movie.

Because it turns out the saddest part of Crossroads is definitely not that her character is on a mission to find her mom (Kim Cattrall!!) or that Taryn Manning’s Mimi is a pregnant teen, or that said pregnancy is due to a rape by none other than Kit’s (Zoe Saldana) fiancée, and then after a tumble down the stairs that baby is no longer a character in this film. And yes, the contrast of that HEAVY shit feels out of place with the cotton candy airiness of three best friends on a road trip with a sultry Anson Mount as Ben (who may or may not have killed someone? Really, what?).

The three besties are from a small southern town and we know this because all three of them, even Louisiana native Britney, slip in and out of southern accents throughout their entire journey. However, just like her singing, when she’s really trying Britney is not a bad actress. Saldana is a lot of fun to watch just because it’s been a minute since we’ve seen the accomplished actress in a character this loose, and Manning is the ever-dependable pal.

Crossroads was made for teens in 2002. Don’t let nostalgia get the best of you, at least not enough to turn this on and dedicate any more energy to it than having it on in the background while you clean your house. But at the time, hopping in a car to drive across the country with no real plan and a hunky driver sounds like the ultimate teen fantasy, especially for those looking to rebel against their father (Dan Aykroyd!!!). Britney has a picture perfect 2002 haircut, with the hair clip and bucket hat to match, but the crimped hair she goes with for her big “karaoke” performance (of her own version) of “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” was certainly not styled to stand the test of time. The sliver of underwear peeking out from above her cutoff jean skirt and belt thrown on top just for funsies does display just the right amount of suggestiveness the movie was aiming for, and we surely have a shopping trip to Charlotte Russe to thank for that. The amount of body glitter used in this scene will make you choke through your screen, but unfortunately serves as a detail that stays true to the time.

There’s something shocking remember Britney’s innocent schoolgirl giggle and her throaty, authentic laugh — because at that point in her career, she was the one laughing from the top of her money piles. It’s also hard not to have a soft spot for this movie, and in turn, our own teenage years, as the young women discuss penises and believe they have all the answers about motherhood yet failed to budget for this spontaneous trip across the country. Which, by the way, is hardly urgent and fails to convince the viewers to care if these people make it to their destination at all. But any fond feelings this movie uncovers for you are strictly a teenage dream you’ve been clinging to, and in no way relate to the quality of this film.

For instance, Crossroads even tries to convince us that Ben and Lucy are songwriters on the same level as Max Martin as the characters sit at a piano for the “creation” of “I’m Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman,” a song she ends up singing IN FULL at the end of the film which feels way too long. But again, that Britney album had to move copies and it’s not like we could go on YouTube in 2002 to watch that video of her dangling off a cliff instead.

In the end, the gals bury yet another time capsule on the beach and just like the likelihood that it will wash away into the ocean, so should this movie from your memories of it being anything remotely worth watching.

Where to watch Crossroads