PEN PALS

After taking the rap for her fiancé lawyer and her multimillionaire boss, an incredibly gullible Jennifer is sent to prison. There, she proceeds to correct the correctional facility. Not even a fine reading by Joyce Bean can give depth to the cast of mostly charming stereotypes. The men are almost all "yellow rat bastards," and the women are good-hearted soul mates (and cell mates) who bond for life. Olivia Goldsmith manages to make her shallow heroine appear spunky, if foolish, and the other inmates, likable. While PEN PALS is a mindless entertainment, combined with Joyce Bean's performance, it becomes as enjoyable as incarceration can be. Take this one to the beach. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 02]