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“How to Deal” ponders a question nearly every teen (and college student) has been faced with: Can two people be “friends with benefits,” (i.e. hook up) without emotional attachment?

Mandy Moore plays Halley Martin, a young woman who finds herself attracted to dreamy Macon Forrester (Trent Ford), but is reluctant to get attached to him because she has seen what love can do to people -- her best friend is knocked up, her parents are getting divorced, and her sister is engaged to a guy she’s always fighting with.

Moore says that unlike her character, she herself is a firm believer in love.

“I consider myself to be a romantic person ... I believe in soulmates and the institution of marriage,” said Moore.

Despite a much publicized romance with tennis player Andy Roddick, whom she says she is “mad about,” Moore says she’s no relationship expert.

Moore also speaks highly of her co-star in the film, Trent Ford. Ford – who claims he didn’t know who Moore was when he first heard about the part – calls the experience of making the movie “fantastic.” The actor is a Cambridge alumnus who had a bit part in Robert Altman’s “Gosford Park.” That he seems poised to become the summer’s new teen idol, appearing in several magazines (he’s one of YM’s top 20 hottest guys) gives him some pause.

“To be the ‘It Boy’ is a worry to me, because it has a very transitory sort of overtone to it,” Ford said.

Moore is no stranger to the fickle effects of stardom. Though her music career may not have been as successful as those of fellow pop princesses Britney Spears and Christine Aguilera, she has no regrets as she prepares to release her third album in the fall.

“I’m happy that I’m still allowed the opportunity to do music and film,” she notes. “It takes persistence if you want to do anything in life.” She may be only 19 years old, but it appears Moore is dealing quite well.