She’s playing a geek! Perfect casting.

Justin Bieber’s babyfaced – yet surprisingly deep-voiced – squeeze Selena Gomez takes the lead in Tom Bezucha’s new high-concept teen comedy. There’s lashings of dreamy suitors and pretty dresses galore, but the only real sparkle to be found belongs to a rather fancy Bulgari necklace.

Based on the wildly successful Beverly Cleary books of the 1980s and 90s, Ramona and Beezus looks like another saccharine romp starring a slightly overdeveloped High School Musical-esque tween and a nauseating pseudo-Matilda brat. Happily, in this case appearances are deceiving – novice director Elizabeth Allen provides a skilfully updated treat for children and nominated supervisory adults alike.