he Princess of Pop, revered around the world, Britney Jean Spears, steps into the world of acting in the coming-of-age film, Crossroads. This was Britney’s first-ever starring role as the protagonist, Lucy, who accompanies her friends, Kit and Mimi, on a road-trip from Georgia to Los Angeles, California.
When the girls were 8-years-old, they wrote down their dreams for the future, made a time capsule, and buried it near a tree. Kit wanted to get married, Mimi wanted to travel, and Lucy wanted to reunite with her mother in Arizona.
On that day, they make a pact to meet on graduation night, but their friendships wane overtime and their lives move in different directions. Lucy becomes Valedictorian, Kit is popular and conceited, and Mimi faces ostracism for her teen pregnancy.
The road-trip isn’t only about friendship; it is also about first loves, romance, and dreams for the future.
Although this coming-of-age film carries a lighthearted tone, it does not shy away from mild controversies dealing with the complexities of life, friendship, love, and even class differences.
Some may consider Spears’ acting to be raw, but she gets into the character of Lucy with deep emotion. In an interview with MTV, cast member, Justin Long, expressed his admiration for her work.
“Britney is a lot more grounded than the character she plays. She could not have been more down-to-earth. She’s the sweetest girl. After 10-minutes, I forgot she was a big pop star,” Long said.
Anson Mount, who plays Lucy’s love interest, was skeptical before the film’s production. Mount was not thrilled about playing a love interest, viewing the original script as “cheesy,” but Robert De Niro convinced him otherwise.
The chick-flick targets Britney Spears fans and captures the essence of the early 2000’s. Tracks from ‘Britney’ in 2001 are included and promoted in the film.
In early 2001, she expressed her plans to star in a film, and her team helped her debut. Spears collaborated with Shonda Rhimes, the director of Grey’s Anatomy, on the production.
According to MTV News, Spears said, “I talked to [Rhimes,] and told her what I wanted the movie to be about and she elaborated on it. It was my little project. When you do a movie, you have to be passionate about it. I was having a lot of offers, but this is something my heart was into.”
Crossroads drew inspiration from Spears’ life, with minor alterations. Lucy’s locket has actual pictures of Britney when she was younger, adding an authentic touch.
Crossroads was originally titled, ‘What Are Friends For?’ If the film had persisted with that title, it might’ve not been as nostalgic to audiences. Instead, it was revised to focus on themes that explore the crossroads of life.
Film reviews have been mixed, but, perhaps, they will evolve in light of the release of her recent memoir, ‘The Woman In Me.’ Since the original release, the film reappeared in theaters and on streaming services in late 2023.
Crossroads also became a promotional avenue for a variety of products. In 2001, Pepsi engaged the pop princess in a multi-million dollar advertising partnership. This collaboration elevated Spears to a status akin to Michael Jackson. The alliance not only boosted Pepsi’s exposure, but it also bolstered the film and Spears’ album.
The film grossed approximately $40 million in the United States when it departed cinemas in May 2002.
Ironically, the movie was a box-office hit in Japan. The picture amassed over $61 million worldwide. Thus, Crossroads marked a milestone in Britney Spears’ career, and her impact on pop culture. Its success at the box office and the marketing collaborations it fostered attest this.
