Full Review

Pop-idol sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff star together as, ironically, socialite siblings in the leaden comedy "Material Girls" (MGM).

They play spoiled cosmetic heiresses Tanzie and Ava Marchetta, who, investigating alleged product-related skin damage cases that threaten to sink stocks and tarnish their late father's reputation, suspect that an ambitious rival (Anjelica Huston) -- who wants to buy their company -- is the culprit.

Directed by Martha Coolidge, the breezy satirizing of celebrity superficiality is undermined by a lame script and irritatingly ditzy performances by the sisters, who shed their squeaky-clean image somewhat to appeal to a wider audience. (It's hard to imagine older viewers having much interest in such froth, though.) Parents should be aware that there are a few suggestive elements that preclude recommendation for tweens, including a scene where Hilary uses her feminine wiles and a plunging neckline to ascertain information from a slobbering clerk a la "Erin Brockovich."

Lukas Haas plays Ava's lawyer-love interest who, chiding her shallowness, tells her she's "all frosting, no cupcake." The same could be said of frivolous fare like this.

The film has some crude language, mildly suggestive situations and wardrobe, innuendo and brief references to prostitution and birth control, limiting its appropriate audience to older adolescents and up. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Movies have been evaluated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's Office for Film and Broadcasting according to artistic merit and moral suitability. The reviews include the USCCB rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie.

The classifications are as follows:

• A-I -- general patronage;
• A-II -- adults and adolescents;
• A-III -- adults;
• A-IV**
• L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV.
• O -- morally offensive.