The Clique (film)

The Clique is a 2008 American teen comedy-drama film directed by Michael Lembeck from a screenplay by Liz Tigelaar, based on the young adult novel series of the same name by Lisi Harrison. The film was produced by Alloy Entertainment and Tyra Banks' company Bankable Productions, and was released on November 11, 2008. It stars Elizabeth McLaughlin and Ellen Marlow, with Bridgit Mendler, Samantha Boscarino, and Sophie Anna Everhard in supporting roles.

Plot
Twelve-year-old Massie Block is the leader of the Pretty Committee, a clique of popular, wealthy students at her upstate New York all-girls private school, Octavian County Day. Much to Massie's chagrin, the Block family begins hosting the Lyons family, old friends of Massie's father who have recently moved from Florida and have a daughter Massie's age, Claire. Massie is immediately dismayed by Claire’s off-brand clothes and social awkwardness, and orders the other members of her clique - Alicia Rivera, Dylan Marvil, and Kristen Gregory - to join her in bullying and excluding Claire.

While horse riding, Massie meets a boy named Chris Abeley and is instantly smitten with him, later becoming jealous when she sees him talking to Claire. Meanwhile, Claire befriends Chris' eccentric younger sister Layne and eventually makes plans with her, which she abandons to attend the Pretty Committee's weekend sleepover after being invited to by Massie's mother. She leaves early due to the other girls antagonizing her, and makes amends with Layne the next morning.

One night, Claire decides to confront Massie, but the latter is gone. Seeking revenge, Claire logs onto Massie's IM account and sends disparaging messages to Dylan, Alicia, and Kristen. The other three girls angrily confront Massie the next day and invite Claire to take her place in their clique. Once they realize the truth, they reconcile and continue conspiring against Claire. The girls tell Massie about an upcoming charity auction taking place on Chris' birthday, suggesting that she jump out of a pop out cake and loudly profess her feelings for him, to which Massie happily agrees.

On a field trip to New York City, the Pretty Committee tries to sell a makeup line created by Kristen for a school project, but their recipe contains peanut oil, which triggers allergic reactions in their classmates. Amidst the panic, Massie anonymously texts Claire, suggesting she use Layne's oatmeal snack to reduce the swelling. This leads the other students to regard Claire as a hero.

At the charity auction, Claire reaches out to the other members of the clique, who all accept her apology and commend her on her efforts to stand up to Massie, revealing that they all secretly harbor disdain for Massie's cruel and controlling nature as well. Claire then learns that Chris has a girlfriend and prevents Massie from jumping out of the cake to save her from embarrassment. After the auction, Massie thanks Claire and admits that she had been bullying her because she saw her as a threat. Massie types a note on her computer that night declaring that Claire is now welcome in the Pretty Committee, and smiles to herself.

Cast

 * Ellen Marlow as Claire Lyons
 * Elizabeth McLaughlin as Massie Block
 * Bridgit Mendler as Kristen Gregory
 * Samantha Boscarino as Alicia Rivera
 * Sophie Anna Everhard as Dylan Marvil
 * Vanessa Marano as Layne Abeley
 * Keli Price as Chris Abeley
 * Dylan Minnette as Todd Lyons
 * Elizabeth Keifer as Judi Lyons
 * David Chisum as William Block
 * Julie Lauren as Kendra Block
 * Boris McGiver as Isaac
 * Angel Desai as Nurse Adele
 * Elizabeth Gillies as Shelby Wexler
 * Neal Matarazzo as Jay Lyons
 * Camila Vignaud as Fawn

Production
Filming began in February 2008 in Rhode Island and ended in March 2008.

Reception
Common Sense Media gave the film three stars, praising the acting while calling it "materialistic".

Soundtrack
The accompanying soundtrack album was released on November 11, 2008, by Razor & Tie.


 * Track listing

Songs that are not included on the soundtrack album:
 * "Heaven on Earth" by Free & Easy
 * "My Own Band"	by Mellow Dee
 * "What You Say" by Mellow Dee
 * "Psycho 4 U" by CanDee Land
 * "String Quartet No. 18" by Franz Schubert