It isn’t an exaggeration to say that I’ve been ready for the Shonda Rhimes–penned(!) 2002 movie Crossroads to hit Netflix for just about the final 5 years, and now lastly my want has been granted. I knew immediately that I wanted to revisit this traditional, however I additionally reached out for assist from Vogue’s senior trend and magnificence author, Christian Allaire, arguably the most important Britney stan on employees, figuring out that two devoted rom-com heads are higher than one. Under, learn all of the ideas we had whereas rewatching Crossroads.

1. Christian Allaire: Our first Britney recognizing is her as Lucy, singing Madonna’s “Open Your Coronary heart” in her room. I like the princess of pop’s nod to the queen of pop. Aspect notice: Have you ever ever heard Britney’s cowl of “Burning Up”? Underrated bop.
2. Emma Specter: I by no means had till this second, however I’m enjoying it on YouTube now, and it’s every little thing I by no means knew I wanted.
3. CA: Lucy is being painted as a nerdy valedictorian. It’s exhausting to think about Britney that method—she’s method an excessive amount of of an It woman for this—however let’s associate with it.
4. ES: I refuse to stay in a world the place Britney Spears isn’t widespread, sorry.
5. CA: Lucy’s commencement gown is so cute. An embroidered pink quantity. Very Miu Miu.
6. ES: I simply seemed up the costumer, and it’s Barbara Siebert, who did the garments for a bunch of iconic ’90s movies, together with Die Laborious and Some Type of Great.
7. CA: Package (Zoe Saldaña) is, for some purpose, engaged to some UCLA dude. Woman, you’re too younger to be getting married! Have enjoyable! Date! Sleep round!
8. ES: Wholeheartedly agree. Additionally hear me out: There’s one thing somewhat bit queer about Package’s early engagement to a UCLA bro, however don’t ask me to elucidate additional.
9. CA: Justin Lengthy is making an attempt to lose his virginity to Lucy, who isn’t having it. There are not any sparks between these two lab companions. However aesthetically they’re a sizzling couple.
10. ES: Who knew Justin Lengthy had abs???
11. CA: Taryn Manning’s character, Mimi, is unquestionably the edgy woman I’d be associates with in highschool. I’d positively skip class and sneak a cig together with her. (Simply kidding, smoking is dangerous.)
12. ES: I’d be proper there with you and Mimi, pretending to smoke confidently (then hacking up a lung).
13. CA: Okay, issues have escalated. Estranged associates Lucy, Package, and Mimi have all determined they’re taking a highway journey to California collectively. Mimi, who’s pregnant, needs to audition for a file firm; Lucy needs to seek out her mother; Package needs to go to her fiancé.
14. ES: I like the concept that three women who by no means frolicked in highschool would have a good time commencement by instantly touring cross-country collectively.
15. CA: Lucy’s double denim and bucket hat is sooo Y2K. I’m right here for it.
16. ES: Did Crossroads plant the seeds for the bucket-hat revival?
17. CA: The truth that RCA snuck in ’NSync’s “Bye Bye Bye” into this soundtrack when Britney and Justin Timberlake have been relationship on the time…you gotta love a Hollywood publicity crew.
18. ES: Ugh. All Britney did was advocate for Justin, and all he did was screw her over! (Sorry, I’m nonetheless mad.)
19. CA: The three women are satisfied their driver, Ben (Anson Mount), a buddy of Mimi’s, could be a serial killer. But…they nonetheless get within the automotive with him?? Make it make sense.
20. ES: I’m formally sufficiently old to narrate extra to those women’ moms than to them (cool realization), and I’m very pressured.
21. CA: Ah, sure, now we have arrived on the traditional road-trip-movie trope—when the automotive breaks down. It causes everybody to have a giant battle. It’s not that severe, babes. Name a tow truck!
22. ES: That is one thing I’ve discovered firsthand by myself highway journeys with besties: Your fellow drivers usually are not the enemy. The automotive is the enemy.
23. CA: Package’s butterfly pants are so sizzling. Love her chain belt too.
24. ES: Do I want a series belt?
25. CA: Now they’re doing karaoke to lift cash for the damaged automotive half. I like that that is their first concept—as a result of performing for strangers is a famously fruitful enterprise.
26. ES: Should you may generate income doing karaoke, I wouldn’t have any credit-card debt. (Sure, I’m good at karaoke and dangerous with cash.)
27. CA: These saucy punk-rock karaoke outfits, although. Lucy’s crimped hair! I stay.
28. ES: Soooo Lizzie McGuire coded.
29. CA: Seems Lucy is a complete star on stage whereas singing “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll.” She works the pole, similar to Britney does in her “Gimme Extra” video. In some way the karaoke gig makes them wealthy, they usually’re all of a sudden staying at, like, The Ritz. They order all of the room service. How a lot cash did they make performing one tune?
30. ES: I like scenes in films the place broke ladies get a shot at opulence and go all in on room service. (See additionally: Kate Bosworth consuming blueberry pancakes in her gown in Blue Crush.)
31. CA: They’re virtually to California. Lucy shares a poem with that sizzling serial-killer dude who, it seems, isn’t a serial killer. The poem is lyrics to her fantastic ballad, “I’m Not a Woman, Not But a Girl.” He composes music on a piano to go together with her lyrics. He certain has rizz.
32. ES: Rizz, certainly. This actor creeps me out, although, I don’t know why.
33. CA: Lucy lastly will get to fulfill her estranged mom, who’s performed by none aside from Kim Cattrall. How fabulous. She’s an elegant Tuscan housewife who needs nothing to do together with her. So we hate her, clearly. (Her home is nice, although.)
34. ES: Kim Cattrall, they may by no means make me hate you!
35. CA: Issues took a extremely darkish flip. Mimi loses her child, and we discover out that Package’s fiancé was the one who obtained her pregnant, towards her will. However one way or the other, via the robust instances, it brings the three associates nearer.
36. ES: Yeah, this shit is tough, and I actually sort of forgot about it.
37. CA: They lastly make it to California. Lucy and the killer-but-not-a-killer man get it on. It’s additionally all of a sudden determined that Lucy ought to audition for the file firm—not Mimi—regardless of this complete concept being Mimi’s dream. However certain, we stan Lucy—let’s get her found!
38. ES: If I have been Mimi, I’d be pissed.
39. CA: Lucy sings “I’m Not a Woman, Not But a Girl” and completely wows the gang. She performs in a crop prime with billowy sleeves and low-rise denims. She seems to be like a pop star. I’d signal her. We by no means know if she did land that deal—however we’re gonna go forward and say sure.
40. ES: I imply, obvi, proper? She’s Britney!