How to Deal

How to Deal is a 2003 American romantic comedy-drama about Halley Martin, a teenager who has decided that real love does not exist. Looking at the adults and friends around her, she sees little to change her mind: her parents are divorced, her father is seeing a younger woman she dislikes, her mother is bitter about the split, her sister is preoccupied with her own wedding, and her best friend has become absorbed in her first serious relationship. Then Halley meets Macon, a rebellious young man, and begins to reconsider her views.

The film was directed by Clare Kilner, the first of three features she directed, followed by The Wedding Date and American Virgin. Neena Beber wrote the screenplay, and Mandy Moore plays Halley, with Trent Ford as Macon. Allison Janney appears as Halley's mother, alongside Alexandra Holden, Dylan Baker and Nina Foch.

Released in July 2003, the film runs 99 minutes. On IMDb it holds a critics' rating of 4.6/10 from 98 reviews, while on TMDB its audience rating is 5.5/10 from 169 votes, a modest reception from both critics and viewers.