Glitter MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1

There's no gold in this glitter, but lots of sparkle for young fans of singer Mariah Carey. She stars in this story of Billie Franklin, a racially mixed, illegitimate girl abandoned by her mother. Billie dreams of making it big as a singer, but her road to fame has a few potholes such as gigs in strip clubs and sleazy promoters who try to exploit her. Her career gets a jump-start when she meets D.J. Dice (Max Beesley) who discovers her while she performs as a backup singer. Dice becomes her manager and producer and the two fall in love. But as Billie is transformed into a star, she discovers relationships can be just as rocky as the road to fame. The film's many musical numbers feature Carey's current hits that will enthrall mostly pre-teen and teenage girls. For more sophisticated viewers, GLITTERs flimsy plot will soon be forgotten.

In spite of Billie's exposure to the seedy side of show business, she remains unpolluted by an environment where liquor, drugs and sex reign. But when she and Dice fall in love, they become sexually active and begin living together. One scene strongly implies sex, and Billie indicates it is a new experience. Dice tries to protect Billie from promoters who insist she wear revealing outfits because "sex sells." Many scenes include near nudity and on-stage suggestive moves. GLITTER's PG-13 rating limits the number of obscenities, but three s-words and many crudities tarnish the dialogue. Fortunately for Billie, she has lifelong friends Roxanne and Louise (Tia Texada and Da Brat) who are like family, always there for each other. While GLITTER tries to emphasize fame has its downside, it's doubtful star wannabes will be discouraged. In light of the recent tragedy and horrific images flooding our TV sets, parents may be tempted to approve GLITTER, but will find more wholesome material.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, 10201 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90035