Every so often a film comes along that’s poignant, funny, relatable and an accurate portrayal of most people’s painful high school experiences.  But unlike 2005’s Toronto-filmed Mean Girls, You Again is the opposite of such a film.

A waste of A-list talent to the highest degree, this shallow and meaningless movie not only perpetuates vapid stereotypes, but wastes both the time of the cast and their audience – especially since the likes of Betty White, Sigourney Weaver and Jamie Lee Curtis are more than capable of carrying a well-written and interesting cinematic venture.  Which this is not.

After learning her brother is set to marry her high school tormentor, Marni (Kristen Bell) becomes consumed with revealing the truth: that despite nearly a decade passing since the awkward teenager was the victim of adolescent bullying, her brother’s fiancé must still a manipulative monster.  After all, people never change, right?

Fortunately, the family boasts a legacy of lengthy grudge-holding, and as Marni’s mother (Jamie Lee Curtis) comes face-to-face with the woman who once pushed her in a pool at a high school graduation (Sigourney Weaver), two generations of pettiness unfold to reveal that – gasp! – bullies do have feelings and reasons for acting out the way they do.

It’s just as painful as it sounds.  With Betty White taking on the role of an outspoken yet loveable grandmother (she can do no wrong), the 88-year-old is the film’s only saving grace.  However, no amount of Betty or London Ontario’s Victor Garber can make up for the fact that the film’s childish plot and roster of characters are so consumed with resentment that they make anyone watching feel nearly as stupid as they themselves seem.  (And not only because you’ve paid money to see it, but because you’ve chosen to stay.)

Instead of promoting adult-like communication, childish antics ensue that attempt to garner any reaction possible from the likely agitated viewership (cue: catfights and cringe-worthy dialogue).  And like a comedian that doesn’t know when to leave the stage, You Again quickly becomes a caricature of the worst possible chick flick through characters made so unbelievable you can’t possibly fathom why the film was financed in the first place.

What makes matters worse is that each actor is genuinely talented.  Academy Award nominees, critical darlings and even up-and-coming actresses with promise on the horizon, no amount of reasoning can be given to explain why a script like this could be considered.  One can’t help but wonder if director Andy Fickman simply called in a favour – or that he may be such a likeable person that turning him down simply felt mean.

Either way, expect You Again to be a film you see to make yourself feel better about your own shortcomings – or one that simply leaves you to ask yourself “why?”.