rating:
(out of
4 stars)United States; 2004
Directed by Gary Winick; produced by Susan Arnold, Gina Matthews, Donna Arkoff Roth; written by Josh Goldsmith, Cathy Yuspa
Starring Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis, Kathy Baker, Phil Reeves
Below you will find a temporary review for this film. The real (better, more complete) review will be online very soon.
'13 Going On 30' is an enjoyable film, mainly because Jennifer Garner
is so likable. The story is very familiar and a lot of things are
questionable but I was able to put reason aside and simply enjoy the film. I
have to admit, many will not be able to do so.
The story is one we know from films like 'Big' and 'Freaky Friday' where a
young kid or teenager is suddenly trapped in the body of an adult. This time
the teenager is Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen). She is best friends with Matt
(Sean Marquette). They are both not the most popular people and after a
disastrous birthday party (disastrous for a girl who turns thirteen) she
wishes she is thirty. When she wakes up the next day she is a beautiful
woman, thirty years old, with a dream job and a gorgeous boyfriend. The
moments where she discovers this magical event are predictable but fun to
watch. She discovers a lot more. She is no longer friends with Matt (now
Mark Ruffalo) basically because since the birthday she turned thirteen she
has become a very unpleasant person. Of course she befriends Matt again, has
comic moments because she still feels like a thirteen year old, becomes a
pleasant person again, has some trouble with mean co-workers but solves them
with her young mind, etc.
Now I have told you a lot but nothing you could not guess before seeing this
film. Indeed it is a very predictable film, but if you like Garner here it
is hard not to like the film itself. She has so much charm and because of
that there are so many little charms (Ruffalo is also one of them) it is
simply a feel-good story. It does exactly that, give you a very good
feeling. There are some nice jokes on the way as well, making this perfect
light entertainment. Although I liked both 'Big' and 'Freaky Friday' better
I am glad I have also seen this version.