The way of the trou

Likeable but conservative Sisterhood
of the Traveling Pants 2 takes on boys,
break-ups and birth control

by CHRISTOPHER SYKES

Before America Ferrera was winning Emmys for her toothy portrayal of Ugly Betty she was busy making up a quarter of the young ensemble in the 2005 sleeper hit Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. As per usual these days, if there’s a buck to be made, a sequel isn’t far off. But considering the original was itself based on the first book of Ann Brashares’s bestselling series one would expect a couple more summer releases down the road. That’s not the case as the remaining three books have been condensed into a new two-hour feature.

In case you missed the first one here’s the deal: four teenage BFFs (Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn and Blake Lively) stumble upon, like, the most totally awesome pair of jeans ever at a second-hand store. Despite their different body types, these pants perfectly fit each of them. A feat deemed nothing short of a miracle by the foursome. Paying heed to the denim’s divinity the young ladies vow to share the magical britches over the course of the summer as they set out on youthful adventures around the globe.

It’s more of the same cheese the second time around, only the girls are now on summer break from college instead of high school. Once again the jeans traverse the globe as the girls deal with broken hearts, suicidal family members, newly discovered talents and (gasp) doing “it.”

The ensemble all play their roles quite well and there’s little doubt that Traveling Pants 2 will be quite successful with its intended 15–24 demographic. However, I do have an enormous beef with how far the conservatives across the border have come regarding the suppression of contraception and abortion on screen and in the media.

When Tibby (Tamblyn) decides she’s ready to give up the big V to boyfriend Brian (Leonardo Nam) things don’t go as planned. Brian doesn’t realize the condom has broke until after the deed and panic ensues.

As the drama unfolds and the possibility of bringing up baby broadens it’s never once discussed about seeking out a morning-after pill. Get your ass to the gyno, Tibby. We’ve all been down that road before.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
opens this Friday, Aug. 8

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