Prom Pact
Official release poster
GenreRomantic comedy
Written byAnthony Lombardo
Directed byAnya Adams
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Running time98 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkDisney Channel
ReleaseMarch 30, 2023 (2023-03-30)

Prom Pact is an American romantic comedy television film directed by Anya Adams.[1][2] The film stars Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Milo Manheim, Margaret Cho, Blake Draper, Monique Green, Arica Himmel, Jason Sakaki, David S. Jung, and Wendi McLendon-Covey.[3] The film premiered on March 30, 2023, on Disney Channel.[4][5] It received generally positive reviews from critics.

Premise

With prom season in full swing, Mandy Yang and her best friend, Ben Plunkett are surrounded by 1980s-themed promposals. However, Mandy has been more focused on one longtime goal: attending Harvard. Determined to get herself off the waitlist, she asks for help from a popular jock, Graham Lansing, whose father is a senator and alum of Harvard.[6] When Mandy agrees to become Graham's tutor, she realizes that he is more than just a jock and there is more to life than going to Harvard.

Cast

  • Peyton Elizabeth Lee as Mandy Yang,[7] a high school senior who is determined to get into Harvard.
  • Milo Manheim as Ben Plunkett,[7] Mandy's best friend.
  • Blake Draper as Graham Lansing,[8] a popular jock whose father is a senator and a Harvard alum.
  • Monique Green as LaToya Reynolds,[8] a popular cheerleader and Ben's love interest.
  • Arica Himmel as Zenobia,[8] one of Mandy's close friends.
  • Jason Sakaki as Charles,[8] one of Mandy's close friends.
  • Chelah Horsdal as Mrs. Lansing,[9] Graham's mother.
  • David S. Jung as Tom Yang,[8] Mandy's father.
  • Wendi McLendon-Covey as Alyssa Yang,[10] Mandy's mother.
  • Margaret Cho as Ms. Chen,[8] the school counselor.

Production

Development

On February 6, 2022, it was announced that Disney Branded Television was developing a teen rom com film for Disney+, titled Prom Pact, starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee and Milo Manheim. Anya Adams was set to direct the film, with Anthony Lombardo serving as the writer. Julie Bowen, Melvin Mar, Jake Kasdan, Rachael Field, and Anya Adams were set to be executive producers for the film. According to Bowen, the film was originally slated to go exclusively to Disney+ but Disney Channel liked the film that they shot so much, they decided to have the world premiere air on their network on March 30th. [7][9]

Casting

On March 23, 2022, Margaret Cho joined the cast of the film, along with Blake Draper, Monique Green, Arica Himmel, Jason Sakaki, and David S. Jung rounding out the cast.[8] On March 29, 2022, Wendi McLendon-Covey joined the cast as Alyssa Yang, Mandy's mother.[10]

Filming

Filming began in Vancouver, Canada on March 14, 2022, and wrapped on April 21, 2022.[11][12]

Release

Prom Pact premiered on March 30, 2023, on Disney Channel and was released on March 31, 2023, on Disney+. Minor bits of dialogue were edited out of the Disney Channel version, but were kept in the Disney+ version. Both films remain around the same runtime.[13][14]

Reception

Audience viewership

According to Whip Media's TV Time, Prom Pact was the fifth most watched film across all platforms in the United States during the week of April 2, 2023,[15] and the tenth during the week of April 10, 2023.[16]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 89% of 9 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.20/10.[17]

Michael Nordine of Variety called Prom Pact a "fresh take on teendom’s big night," writing, "The film is an exemplar of its genre, one that honors its forebears while also acknowledging and attempting to correct their more glaring faults," and praised the performance of Peyton Elizabeth Lee, felling that it "would make Molly Ringwald proud."[18] Erick Massoto of Collider gave the film B+ and said, "Prom Pact is the perfect choice of flick for you to watch when you’re in the mood for something light and fun. It has an excellent cast, the jokes come easily and never feel forced, and the story is a true celebration of friendship and how you should always do your best to not let your people down – and work hard to apologize if you do. John Hughes would be proud."[19] Polly Conway of Common Sense Media gave Prom Pact a grade of three out of five stars, praised the positive messages and role models, citing the emphasis on communication in relationships and self-motivation, and asserted, "Edgier-than-usual Disney romcom is charming."[20]

Controversy of deepfake and A.I. background actors

During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, it was revealed that Prom Pact, as well as other Disney Branded Television productions, had several background actors scanned to train a generative artificial intelligence to use their image throughout the film without their consent or additional payment. [21][22][23]

References

  1. ↑ International, Romeo (April 10, 2023). "Anya Adams and Julie Bowen tell universal story in 'Prom Pact' - Rolling Out". RollingOut.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  2. ↑ Smith, Tessa (March 30, 2023). "Disney's Prom Pact Breaks Stigmas & Offers 2 Versions". MamasGeeky.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  3. ↑ Humphrey, Julia (March 18, 2023). "'Prom Pact' Cast Discuss Friendship and Subverting Stereotypes in New Featurette". Collider. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  4. ↑ Humphrey, Julia (February 24, 2023). "Peyton Elizabeth Lee Makes a 'Prom Pact' in New Trailer". Collider. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ Warrier, Vishnu (March 28, 2023). "Prom Pact on Disney+: Release date, plot, trailer, cast, and more details explored". Sportskeeda. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  6. ↑ Walters, Aly (April 7, 2023). "Prom Pact - Everything You Need To Know". Looper. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 Andreeva, Nellie (February 6, 2022). "Peyton Elizabeth Lee & Milo Manheim To Headline Disney+ Movie Prom Pact From Julie Bowen & Melvin Mar". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Grobar, Matt (March 23, 2022). "Prom Pact: Margaret Cho & More Board Teen Rom-Com For Disney+". Deadline. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Prom Pact: Fact Sheet". Disney General Entertainment Content Press. February 9, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Petski, Denise (March 29, 2022). "Wendi McLendon-Covey Joins Disney+'s Teen Rom-Com Prom Pact". Deadline. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  11. ↑ Ley, Darryl (April 1, 2022). "PROM PACT Disney Romcom Filming In Vancouver". Hollywood North News. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  12. ↑ Gittins, Susan (February 28, 2023). "PROM PACT With Peyton Elizabeth Lee & Milo Manheim Premieres March 30th on Disney". Hollywood North Buzz. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  13. ↑ Rouse, Isaac (January 13, 2023). "Here's Our First Look at Disney's Prom Pact, The Crossover, & National Geographic's A Small Light". TV Insider. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  14. ↑ Ayoola, Simbiat (January 13, 2023). "Prom Pact Images Tease Disney's Sweet High School Rom-Com". Collider. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  15. ↑ Prange, Stephanie (April 4, 2023). "'Murder Mystery 2,' 'The Mandalorian' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts". Media Play News. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  16. ↑ Prange, Stephanie (April 11, 2023). "'Murder Mystery 2,' 'The Mandalorian' Again Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts". Media Play News. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Prom Pact (2023)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  18. ↑ Nordine, Michael (March 29, 2023). "'Prom Pact' Review: Disney's Sweet, Sincere Teen Movie Is at the Top of Its Class". Variety. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  19. ↑ Massoto, Erick (March 31, 2023). "'Prom Pact' Review: Disney+ Comedy Is a Fun Ride That Puts Friendship at Its Center". Collider. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  20. ↑ Conway, Polly. "Prom Pact Movie Review | Common Sense Media". Common Sense Media. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Disney's "Prom Pact" Sparks Debate Over The Use Of AI Background Actors". Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  22. ↑ Dick, Jeremy (October 12, 2023). "Disney Gets Roasted for 'Creepy' AI Extras in Disney+ Movie Prom Pact". CBR. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  23. ↑ Bentz, Adam (October 12, 2023). "This Disney+ Movie With AI Actors Is Horrendous, & Exactly What Striking Actors Are Fighting Against". ScreenRant. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
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