One would be hard-pressed to find a movie that panders to 14-year-old girls more blatantly than "In the Mix." Instead of constructing a backstory for R&B superstar Usher Raymond (a la Prince in "Purple Rain"), the movie fritters away his charm in this romantic drama. Usher plays Darrell, a DJ-turned-bodyguard who's assigned to protect the daughter of a mob boss (Chazz Palminteri). In a riff from "The Bodyguard," Darrell's job shifts from business to pleasure as he falls for Dolly ("On the Line's" Emmanuelle Chriqui).

There are the familiar entanglements -- the father's displeasure about the match, the heel boyfriend, and the beauties who fling themselves at Darrell as he maintains his focus on the job at hand. Usher makes the best of the situation, showing a screen charisma that is undeniable even amidst a script filled with mob goombas, white rap posers and other unfortunate stereotypes. Starring Usher Raymond, Chazz Palminteri and Emmanuelle Chriqui. Directed by Ron Underwood. Written Jacqueline Zambrano. Produced by John Dellaverson. A Lions Gate release. Romantic drama. Rated PG-13 for sexual content, violence and language. Running time: 97 min