Not in fact underwear but instead a respectable pair of blue jeans, the titular trousers follow four girls during one summer. The notion that they have a magical quality is prompted by the fact that they fit all four bodies perfectly, but after the obligatory candle-lit ritual, the mystical element is abandoned for more straightforward coming-of-age drama.
Family and death are the main issues: while Bridget reels from her mothers suicide, Tibby faces unexpected grief and both Lena and Carmen feel alienated from their clans.
Carmens confrontations with her father offer some interest, although Lena and Bridgets attempts at romance are routine and uninvolving.
Seasoned TV actress Amber Tamblyn introduces gravitas and humour when her rebellious character Tibby encounters quirky local characters while filming a documentary. But while her scenes are imbued with an indie flavour, others feel as if the grit has been scrubbed off, all in the name of wholesome family drama.