Winning London [VHS]
Why is it that, in such a cynical age, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen aren't more wary of a backlash against adorableness? Just when pop culture's more cantankerous hounds were harboring hopes that the preeminent pair of sugar-and-spice girls would grow into a couple of gawky teenagers, they've proved themselves more lovable than ever withWinning London. Here, they're tasked with delivering semimature subject matter--straightening out stalled romances, stifling an overactive competitive streak--but they come off as self-assured as ever. The scene is set across the pond, where Chloe and Riley (Mary-Kate and Ashley), along with other members of their high school's Model U.N. team, are strutting their strategic mock peace-bringing stuff at an international competition. While Chloe captures the heart of an upper-crust English boy, Riley sets her sights on teammate Brian, who's clueless enough to call her kiddo. After a breakdown in her budding romance, Chloe, who's accustomed to winning, learns to chill out and consider the more sporting side of competitions. This being a Mary-Kate and Ashley vehicle, shopping for schoolgirl-swanky ensembles is involved, as is boogying with the boys at hot nightspots. Sightseeing excursions to Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, among other places, feel thrown in as educational tidbits for parents' sake; better to buy this video purely for fun--Mary-Kate and Ashley may not be known as the brainiest pair, but London aside, with this movie they'll continue to win hearts.--Tammy La Gorce