Where to Watch
Checking availability in your country…
Cast
Mandy Moore
as Halley Martin
Trent Ford
as Macon Forrester
Allison Janney
as Lydia Martin
Alexandra Holden
as Scarlett Smith
Dylan Baker
as Steve Beckwith
Nina Foch
as Grandma Halley
Mary Catherine Garrison
as Ashley Martin
Connie Ray
as Marion Smith
Mackenzie Astin
as Lewis Warsher
Charlotte Sullivan
as Elizabeth Gunderson
Movie Info & Details
Release Year2003
Runtime1h 39m
LanguageEnglish
CertificationPG-13
GenresDrama, Comedy, Romance
Votes168
DirectorClare Kilner
WritersNeena Beber
TypeFeature Film
Rating5.5 out of 10
Cast10 credited
Also Known AsHow to Deal
About How to Deal
For teenager Halley, love seems like an alien concept. Her mother is divorcing her father, who is dating a younger woman Halley can't stand. Her sister is about to get married and doesn't realize that her fiancé is not the man of her dreams. And her best friend has fallen madly in love for the first time, leaving Halley to feel even more alone. But, when she meets edgy Macon, she learns what love is really all about.
Directed by Clare Kilner, How to Deal leans on a strong ensemble — Mandy Moore, Trent Ford, Allison Janney — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.
The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2003.
Read More on the Blog
You Might Also Like
More like How to Deal, picked from what people are watching
6.1LOL
2012 6.1
In a world connected by YouTube, iTunes, and Facebook, Lola and her friends navigate the peer pressures of high school romance and friendship while dodging their sometimes overbearing and confused parents. When Lola's mom, Anne, "accidentally" reads her teenage daughter's racy journal, she realizes just how wide their communication gap has grown.
LOL
2012
7.1After
2019 7.1
Tessa Young is a dedicated student, dutiful daughter and loyal girlfriend to her high school sweetheart. Entering her first semester of college, Tessa's guarded world opens up when she meets Hardin Scott, a mysterious and brooding rebel who makes her question all she thought she knew about herself -- and what she wants out of life.
After
2019
7.4One Day
2011 7.4
After spending the night together on the eve of their college graduation, Dexter and Emma are shown each year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. They are sometimes together, and sometimes not.
One Day
2011
6.4Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
2025 6.4
Bridget Jones navigates life as a widow and single mum with the help of her family, friends, and former lover, Daniel. Back to work and on the apps, she's pursued by a younger man and maybe – just maybe – her son's science teacher.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
2025
6.7Geek Charming
2011 6.7
Film geek Josh is looking for the subject of his new documentary when a chance meeting puts the perfect star in his sights—Dylan, his school's most popular junior. But Dylan's hopes of using the film to become Blossom Queen don't quite match with Josh's goal to make a hard-hitting exposé about popularity. Will Josh shoot the film as planned, or show Dylan as the truly interesting person she is?
Geek Charming
2011
6.3Tall Girl
2019 6.3
Jodi, the tallest girl in her high school, has always felt uncomfortable in her own skin. But after years of slouching, being made fun of, and avoiding attention at all costs, Jodi finally decides to find the confidence to stand tall.
Tall Girl
2019
User Reviews
5.5
Community rating
Loading reviews…
From the Blog
All Posts
News
Lanterns OTT Release Date: DC’s Green Lantern Series Hits JioHotstar Aug 17
DC’s Green Lantern series Lanterns arrives on JioHotstar in India on August 17, 2026. Here is where to watch it, who is in it, and why it is one of the year’s biggest superhero shows.
News
Michael OTT Release Date: The Michael Jackson Biopic Streams August 29
The Michael Jackson biopic arrives on JioHotstar on August 29, 2026. Here is where to watch it, what you need, and why it is one of the year’s biggest music films.
News
Jana Nayagan OTT Release Date: When Vijay’s Film Streams on ZEE5
Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan is headed to ZEE5 for its digital premiere. Here is the latest on its OTT release date and where to watch, updated as news is confirmed.