The Clique

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Michael Lembeck directs. Michael Weaver behind the camera. George S. Clinton scores. David Finfer cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

• 187 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
• 2Released 18 years ago.
• 3Directed by Michael Lembeck, shot by Michael Weaver. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
• 4Original score by George S. Clinton. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
• 5Editor David Finfer shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
• 6Elizabeth McLaughlin and Ellen Marlow and Bridgit Mendler carry the top of the cast.
• 7Marketing tagline: "The only thing harder than getting in, is staying in.".
• 8IMDB entry: tt1059905 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography

Michael Weaver

Original score

George S. Clinton

Editing

David Finfer

Production design

Philip Toolin

Costume design

Mandi Line

Makeup / hair

Frank Barbosa

Sound

Mark Hensley

Stunt coordinator

Shawnna Thibodeau

Runtime

87 min · 1h 27m

Aspect ratio (typical)

1.37:1 (Academy)

Status

Released

Original language

EN

Certification (US)

PG

IMDB

The Clique (2008) ↗

Also by

Michael Lembeck

• 
  Chicago Sons

  1997 · ★ 8.6
• 
  Friends 25th: The One with the Anniversary

  2019 · ★ 8.4
• 
  Friends

  1994 · ★ 8.4
• 
  Off Centre

  2001 · ★ 8.1
• 
  Acting Sheriff

  1991 · ★ 8.0
• 
  High Society

  1995 · ★ 8.0

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

• 

  ▶
  The Clique Trailer

  Trailer

Community reviews

What people are saying

• Kamurai2020-09-01
  ★ 6/10

  Decent watch, probably won't watch again, but can recommend. I don't mind a good romantic comedy, or a coming of age story, but this one is "girly to the max" and clearly on a budget for their actors as (clearly) a lot of the production value went into the sets, locations, wardrobe, and props. The "we're girls so we're going to be snotty brats to each other" thing is cliche enough in itself, but this was an ongoing war of subterfuge and sociopathic emotionless loyalty based on what each person was gaining, mainly sociable interest. This was exhausting for me to watch, but a 10-14 year old girl might like it, though I doubt she'll understand the technology age (no smartphones or tablets, basically). The story was weak, though amazingly well balanced between the characters, so I choose to believe that the script bent based on the load it was carrying and not the quality of it's writers. There is actually a lot of nuance and detail in this, even if I found little substance to it. The casting is very interesting when you look at it, as I recognized 2 of the girls straight away, and 1 a bit later. Vanessa Marano ("Switched at Birth") is by far the most accomplished tv actress of the bunch (she's done quite a few movies as well), but plays a bit part, which is how I guess she got so accomplished by scoring work in so many projects. Bridgit Mendler ("Undateable") is a comedy actress that has shorts under her name, and has been in more prominent projects than the others, to include a voice in a the Miazaki movie "The Secret World of Arietty". Elizabeth McLaughlin ("Grand Hotel") took me longer to recognize as she tends to have bit parts in tv shows, but she's got a big personality which she shows off very well in this, but she's overshadowed in the acting department. I think Ellen Marlow not only carried this movie, but may be one of the best actors in it. Oddly enough in contrast with McLaughlin (big personality, lower skill), Marlow's meekness of personality in her characters and, unfortunate, plain, but good, look might keep her away from leading lady status on camera. Fortunately she's apparently broadway material, and hearing from those that do both, that there are reasons that people tend to relegate to one or the other. Ultimately, it's a girly movie (he said with love) and it confuses me, but it's not bad, but it sure isn't great.

  Read full review ↓

Production companies

Who made it

• 

  Alloy Entertainment

  US

• BA

  Bankable Productions

  US

• 

  Warner Premiere

  US

Key crew

• NovelLisi Harrison
• AdaptationLiz Tigelaar
• Stunt CoordinatorShawnna Thibodeau
• Sound Effects EditorSteven Avila
• Sound Effects EditorAdam DeCoster
• Sound Re-Recording MixerMark Hensley
• Sound Re-Recording MixerStanley Kastner
• Sound Effects EditorPeter D. Lago
• Foley MixerGreg Mauer
• Foley ArtistRick Owens
• Sound Effects EditorAlexander Pugh
• Sound MixerTom Williams
• Hair DesignerFrank Barbosa
• Makeup ArtistLiz Bernstrom
• HairstylistPaula Dion
• HairstylistJoanna Raskin
• Makeup Department HeadJoe Rossi
• HairstylistLora Scrignoli
• EditorDavid Finfer
• CastingHarriet Greenspan
• ProducerLeslie Morgenstein
• ProducerBob Levy
• Executive ProducerTyra Banks
• Line ProducerTom Keniston

Themes & keywords

What it's about, really

• group of friends
• based on young adult novel

Release history · US

When it landed

• Theatrical2008-11-11PG