James Franco Can't Keep Up on Lifetime's High School Sweethearts

Title: James Franco's Small Role in Lifetime's "High School Sweethearts": A Mixed Bag of Entertainment

The intriguing blend of humor and slight cringeworthy moments in the Lifetime series, "High School Sweethearts," makes it an engaging addition to the entertainment world. Despite James Franco's limited screen time, the film captivates audiences with its high school drama and soap opera flair.

Taking on the role of Rick, the 17-year-old Kelly's (Paulina Singer from Orange is the New Black) father, Franco contributes to the film's charm. The unsettling realization that his character's much younger lover (Julia Jones) can share her clothing with Kelly adds another layer to the already complicated familial dynamic.

In a club, Kelly meets her aspiring celebrity crush, Christian Booth (François Arnaud), who is a decade her senior. The unspoken age difference line is crossed, temporarily leaving the film on a questionable and uncomfortable note. As Kelly indulges in the luxurious lifestyle of the rich and famous, complete with limousines, helicopter rides, and motorbike escapades, Rick's disapproval is apparent but is ultimately unsuccessful. Unfortunately, Christian's mounting anger issues as a lifelong struggle emerge, mirroring the ambiguity of their relationship.

When Kelly becomes famous due to her association with a "wealthy, famous, beautiful film star," as she puts it, instead of addressing the issue head-on, the film grapples in Stalker territory. This conveniently sidesteps debating the appropriateness of the relationship.

The film teases the romantic encounter between Kelly and Christian, set against a backdrop of gritty dialogues such as "Come here," only to be met with "I'm in school." The tendency of Lifetime movies to rely on their "Cheesy" factor makes viewers second-guess whether to find humor in the film's inconsistencies or simply accept them, making room for a bit of fun.

Surprisingly, despite Franco's limited screen time, his involvement in "High School Sweethearts" remains a mystery, with no clear indication of why he would lend his name and star power to such a project. Far from James Franco's typical roles night and day, this project could be seen as an opportunity to diversify his portfolio.

High School Sweethearts is scheduled to premiere on Lifetime on February 4, at 8 pm.

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