Movie Journals |
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Freaky Friday
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Freaky Friday Because I had seen the ‘70’s version of Freaky Friday, and read the book, I was concerned that the 2003 version (ninety-three minutes running time) wouldn’t have anything new to say. However, this movie is hip, funny, and well executed. The main actors do an outstanding job playing each other’s character. I was particularly impressed with Lindsay Lohan’s ability to convince the audience that she is a 40-something mother of two trapped in a 15-yearold’s body. The credits for Freaky Friday began at 5:55pm, and by 6:01pm (six minutes), I decided that I liked the movie. The first few minutes of the movie bounce from the mom to the daughter and back again, sneaking peaks at their typical day. The introduction is fast paced and entertaining, making use of music and humor to set the tone. While the scenes bounce between mother (Tess, played by Jamie Lee Curtis) and daughter (Anna, played by Lindsay Lohan), the music also makes corresponding changes in its tone to give a feel for each of the characters. The mom’s music is fast paced but sophisticated; the daughter’s music is more like her personality—rockin’. The film’s real hook is its humor. Tess, in her fast paced world of cell phones and digital organizers, becomes so distracted by her one of her beeping gadgets that she goes the wrong way into a parking lot and punctures the tires of her Volvo. Daughter, Anna, has such a bad day that when she catches her brother in her room, she winds a pair of his underwear so tightly around his head that they can only be removed by cutting them off. The plot points of this film would make an excellent example in Plot Points for Dummies. Because of the nature of the story, it is obvious where the acts transition from one to the next. Plot point 1 takes place at the Chinese restaurant where the whole family is gathered for dinner and Mom and Daughter begin to argue. This occurred at about 6:20pm (twenty-five minutes) and leads into the fortune cookie working its magic. The point is emphasized with an earthquake only the two of them can feel. The next act opens with them waking in each other’s bodies. Plot point 2 takes place after the two work together during an audition to convince a House of Blues audience that Anna’s band is good, and Anna (in her mother’s body) gives a speech letting her mother know that she approves of her marriage. At this plot point, which occurred at about 6:55pm (60 minutes), everyone can feel the earthquake, and Mom and Daughter are returned to their bodies. The final act opens at Tess’s wedding reception and resolves with Mom and Daughter hugging and Anna’s band playing at her mom’s reception. Karen Walker 30 August 2003 |