TAG ALONG

It’s prom night, and four teens’ plans for the evening are about to get hijacked.

Andrea is a high achiever who gets grounded when her mom finds an alcoholic beverage in her closet. So unfair. Candace is just staying with her dad and stepmom for the weekend, but it’s prom back in her city world, which is so not her thing. Now tagging is, and she’s got plans to make her mark. Roemi’s date is going to help him be one of the first gay couples at prom, and while he knows there’ll be a hassle, he doesn’t care. It’s just exciting to actually meet John after all their online messages. And then there’s Paul, who is the popular jock being led around by the nose by cool girl Lannie. Their plans have been carefully calibrated to make the maximum impact, but when Paul has one of his panic attacks, he’s grateful that his mom covers for him. Well, not grateful that she claims he has diarrhea but glad to be off the hook. They all manage to meet, get connected and ultimately have a prom night that is far more memorable than their original plans. Ryan never goes over the top as he unfurls the story, alternating the voices of the four teens, but exciting events occur, and the gradual jelling of the group is completely believable.

A regular kid’s prom, minus the limo but with enough drama to satisfy.