Movie Reviews

with Evelyn Gough

Freaky Friday (PG)

Directed by Mark S. Waters

Freaky Friday culminates in a scene at the House of Blues that features both Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis, left) and daughter Anna (Lindsay Lohan, right) jamming on guitar.

She may have had a body to die for but time and gravity affect us all (worse luck) and Jamie Lee Curtis is no exception, (and good for her declaring she plans to age disgracefully!)

Okay, she may not be as 'perky' as she once was but at least we can now concentrate on her other assets, like her knock out acting ability and great comedic timing. Want proof? Check her out in this latest hilarious film adaption of Mary Rodgers' book Freaky Friday.

It's a great concept. A mother and teenage daughter constantly at odds with each other, (and who hasn't been there!) magically switch bodies and after a lot of laughs and near disasters finally discover a newfound understanding and respect for each other.

A young Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris first did it in 1976 and now, almost thirty (yikes) years later, in this updated version, its Jamie's turn to star as Dr Tess Coleman, a single mum who is flat out raising two kids, running a busy psychiatric practice and organising her imminent wedding to hunky fiancé Ryan (Mark Harmon). Not that her 15-year-old daughter Anna (Lindsay Lohman) sympathises. She just thinks her mum is doing her best to ruin her (Anna's) life.

She wants to audition with her garage band but her mum wants her to attend the wedding rehearsal dinner... and Anna doesn't even like Ryan. What's a girl to do? Fight back, that's what!

As for her little brother Harry (Ryan Malgarini), the less said the better. The continual conflict is wreaking havoc but if Tess and Anna thought things were bad just wait... All it takes is two magical fortune cookies and mother and daughter are in for the most freakish Friday of their lives...

Don't assume this movie is just for the kids. It's an absolute laugh fest with a top script and great acting, especially from Jamie Lee Curtis and young stars Lindsay and Ryan. I'm not a huge fan of remakes. They often fall far short of the original and leave you disappointed. But not so in this case. Be quick, this is a freaky Friday you definitely want to experience.

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