Britney Spears reminds me of Betty Grable, one of my favorite actresses when I was in junior high school. I loved Grable’s energetic performances, especially in films like Coney Island and Tin Pan Alley. Her physical beauty combined with a sparkling singing and dancing talent to overshadow any acting deficiencies. Like Grable, Spears is lovely to look at, and she puts the same type of enthusiasm into her musical numbers. I can well understand why this pop star has so many pre-teen fans. What puzzles me is the lack of emphasis on music in Crossroads, Spears’ first film.

Instead, this teen road trip focuses on heavy drama. After graduating from high school, three former best friends decide to travel from Louisiana to California --- each for a different, but very serious, reason. Lucy (Spears) wants to find the mother who abandoned her; Kit (Zoe Saldana from Center Stage) seeks a reunion with a boyfriend who’s been ignoring her; and Mimi (Taryn Manning from Crazy/Beautiful) plans to audition for a record contest --- despite her rape-induced pregnancy. This unhappy trio accepts a ride from Ben (hunky Anson Mount of Urban Legends: The Final Cut), who may or may not be a convicted killer. Perhaps it’s time to put a widespread rumor to rest once and for all now. Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) did not direct Crossroads. Tamra Davis, who helmed the comedy Billy Madison, obviously slipped out of her element here.

So where’s the music? Spears mimes Madonna lyrics in an early scene, performs in a karaoke contest, sings a couple of songs with the others while riding along in the car, and does a rousing closing number. That’s about it. And dancing? Not much --- just Spears twirling around a pole once or twice. Maybe filmmakers couldn’t afford a choreographer. (Or a costume designer either, judging from the star’s skimpy outfits.)

Still, I’m glad I saw Crossroads. Now I know Spears has the potential for a successful screen career. Her acting, like Grable’s, is not that bad. She’s actually believable in several scenes, especially the ones with Saturday Night Live veteran Dan Ackroyd, who plays her demanding, overprotective father. I was also impressed with Kim Cattrall’s (from TV’s Sex and the City) brief appearance as the mother who deserted her 3-year old daughter. Cattrall projects a cold, calculating demeanor reminiscent of Jean Smart’s brilliant maternal portrayal in Guinevere.

Because Crossroads is aimed at teenagers, its questionable morality bothers me. Underage drinking and sexual encounters as well as teens disobeying parents are treated in a rather blasé manner. And yet, I felt encouraged by the film’s highlighting of positive values like resourcefulness and friendship.

(Released by Paramount Pictures/MTV and rated "PG-13" for sexual content and brief teen drinking.)