13 Going On 30 is a funny and charming romantic comedy, a gender-flipped version of Tom Hanks' hit film Big, in which the girl is transformed into an adult. When her 13th birthday party goes awry, Jenna Rink (Christa B Allen) wishes she was 30. And, with a touch of movie magic, she wakes up as a glamorous 30-year-old magazine editor in Manhattan, played by Jennifer Garner. Predictable, laid-back laughs ensue as she searches for her old school friend Matt (Mark Ruffalo) and realizes what an immoral schemer she's become.
The concept of a girl's body swapping isn't original, but as the new version of Freaky Friday proves, it's an enduring one: perhaps because it allows adults to remember the shame and enjoyment of their early years, while children can dream of instantly embracing the "grown-up" world.
Director: Gary WinickWriters: Josh Goldsmith, Cathy YuspaStars: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer
If you think about it, the ethical questions raised by a 13-year-old girl in an adult body falling in love with the 30-year-old embodiment of her teenage best friend can be a headache. But 13 Going On 30 is a fairy tale that, while not sex-blind, mimics the naiveté of its protagonist and relies on audiences not to ask difficult, spoil-poor questions. It's about maintaining, or recapturing, an attitude of childlike enthusiasm and openness. For a materialistic girl who complains about others, she argues, a little innocence goes a long way.
The moral is largely written into Jenna's adorable, retro redesign plans for her magazine, a concept that must not have entirely convinced the filmmakers, or they would have made her seem more appealing. It's here that Gary Winick's cheerful caper gets a little tiresome, but Garner carries it through with a performance full of effervescence, fizz and joy. Is she a great actress? We'll see. She is certainly a star.
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