Movie Review: Freaky Friday (2003)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Fun story with a heart warming ending

Cons: None

The Bottom Line:

Some body switching

Leads to hilarious scenes

Wonderful remake

Nothing Freaky About it - This Movie is Wonderful

Mother and daughter Tess and Anna Coleman just don't get along. Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) embarrasses teenage Anna to no end and is so busy planning a wedding she doesn't realize her daughter is growing up. Anna (Lindsay Lohan) resents her mother's fiancee and wants to be treated as a grown-up, even if she's not responsible enough yet. She also gets into trouble at school and her mother just doesn't get her band.

Then one Friday, they wake up to discover they've been transported into each other's bodies. Now Tess has to go to school and see what Anna's world is really like. And Anna must act like a grown-up whether she wants to or not. But can they figure out how to switch back before Tess walks down the aisle?

I actually have never seen the original or read the book, but as soon as I heard about this movie, I had to see it because of Lindsay Lohan. I became an instant fan with her work in The Parent Trap remake, and this movie impressed me even more. She made a grown-up trapped in a teen's body completely believable. Jamie Lee Curtis is equally wonderful as a grown-up who really isn't. The supporting cast is wonderful as they try to coup with the weirdness going on around them that they can't possibly understand. Mark Harmon especially makes the thankless task of the fiancee fun and Chad Michael Murray adds laughs as Anna's love interest who finds himself falling for Tess. I laughed the entire way through the movie and choked up with tears at the end. (I cry at the drop of a hat, what can I say?)

What impressed me most was the family relationships in this movie. While Tess had lots to learn about what her teenage daughter's life is really like, it's ultimately Anna who has to grow the most. I liked the idea that living like the other person for a day can make that much difference. Yes, it's fiction, but it's feel good fiction. That’s my favorite kind of movie.

The DVD is well worth buying. Not only do you get the fun movie, but you get a few cool extras. They have a deleted scene with director commentary (and he was right to delete it), and two alternative endings. The bloopers reel was fun, as were the two music video's from the soundtrack. There is a seven minute back stage featurette this is also worth checking out. I would have loved to see an audio commentary or two, especially one including Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, but it's not to be found. The movie itself is presented in both widescreen and full frame formats, with a wonderful picture. The full surround sound is great as well.

Truly fun movies the entire family can enjoy together are a rare treat. Jump on Freaky Friday while you can. Everyone will have an evening of pleasant entertainment.