I've never seen the original Freaky Friday but when I saw the trailers in the cinema I thought this looked like it might by quite fun. As it turned out I didn't actually go to watch it at the cinema though, but I did watch it the other night (a friend had borrowed the DVD) and I was most pleasantly surprised. (I'm not reviewing the DVD version as such though since we didn't bother with any of the extras.)

The idea behind Freaky Friday is pretty simple... a mother (Tess Coleman – Jamie Lee Curtis) and daughter Anna (Lindsay Lohan) get a body swap when a mad old Chinese woman decides they need to literally walk in each other's shoes to gain unity, understanding, etc. Naturally they're not too impressed by this whole idea, especially as Tess is about to re-marry and Anna is needed for a once in a lifetime opportunity for her band to play before a large audience. (Cue some of the least convincing electric guitar playing ever seen on the silver screen.) Understandably, since no-one else knows what's happened to them, the changes in their behaviour cause some consternation to the people around them, especially hubby to be Ryan (Mark Harmon) and baby brother Harry (Ryan Maldarini). Grandpa (Harold Gould) is pretty much oblivious to everything that's going on (or that ever goes on!), so he ends up in the unusual position of being the rock of stability in the family – for a while at least. To add to the confusion, Jake (Chad Michael Murray), the object of Anna's desire, ends up developing more than a passing interest in her mother, since it's her body that Anna is now inhabiting.

The only way for Tess and Anna to get their own bodies back is – you guessed it – learn to love each other. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

To be honest it's all pretty formulaic stuff and there are no real surprises as far as the plot goes, but thanks to Mark Water's energetic directing it's done with enough zest to make up for that, added to which is the all important fact that it is actually very funny. Lohan and Curtis are very good and Harmon is very... long-suffering! Ryan Madarini as the little brother wins the award for funniest facial expression. Of course we're not talking rocket science here, the humour is fairly primitive – but it is funny, and never descends to being crude or vulgar. Despite its predictability the storyline is quite sweet, and of course it has a happy ending.

Not classic cinema but very enjoyable light entertainment. All in all it got an impressive 13 nominations for different film awards, 4 of which it won. Teenage girls will probably love it, but for once that doesn't stop it from being a film the rest of us can enjoy! :-D

Other Information


Rated PG for mild thematic elements and some language.
Runtime: 97 min



Quotes


You pierced your navel?
Anna (in Tess's body): Yeah, I... meant to talk to you about that.
Tess (in Anna's body): When did you do this?
Anna (in Tess's body): At Maddie's cousin's sweet 16.
Tess (in Anna's body): Well, when you get your body back, it's grounded.



Tess: Root canal? That's not fair, they're not my teeth.



Ryan: OK, where are we going next, Harry's school?
Anna (in Tess's body): Oh, he can walk from here.
Harry: It's 20 blocks!
Anna (in Tess's body): Fresh air will do you good.
Harry: But what about bullies?
Anna (in Tess's body): Run fast.



Tess (in Anna's body): And what are you doing with this?
[grabs box of french fries]
Anna (in Tess's body): I'm eating.
Tess (in Anna's body): You cannot eat fast food.
Anna (in Tess's body): Why not?
Tess (in Anna's body): Because it will go down your throat and drop instantly to my thighs!




This isn't quite good enough to make it onto my Top Ten Films of 2003 but it still ranks as one of the most enjoyable films of that year if you're looking for light entertainment.


See also my Top Ten Children's Movies

Recommended:
Yes

Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12