13 Going on 30: A Film Review

I don't normally watch movies, even those that are 'critically acclaimed', because I do not enjoy the whole movie experience as much as the next guy. The rare times that I do, I usually go to the theater at odd hours or, if the film is on VCD, watch it when there is nothing good on TV and I have exhausted every possible alternative activity such as (a) reading a book or magazine (b) doing something creative like stamping gift wrappers or painting (c) playing with the dog and (d) cleaning my room.

And so it is was on one of those days when I have tired of the usual a/b/c/d activities that I took one of the newer VCDs near our player and sat down to see Jennifer Garner minus the Alias cutie Michael Vartan.

The plot was not too original, as it had been done in the 80s hit Tom Hanks' 'Big'. With the dearth of unusual stories to fill the big screen, the charming Garner makes an admirable though unremarkable attempt to make the old new again.

13 Going On 30 tells of Jenna, a typical teenager during the heyday of Michael Jackson and Madonna, wishing herself 'thirty and flirty' on her 13th birthday. When she does become the fabulous woman she envisioned the very next day, we are led through her transformation from a clueless 13-year old trapped in a 30-year old body to an unbelievably gifted 13-year old still trapped in a 30-year old body who manages to take on the challenges of a successful magazine editor.

I like Jennifer Garner in her TV series and am a little disappointed at her debut film. However, she does puts her beauty and childlike personality to good use in the movie. She shines even in scenes that are reminiscent of those from:

1. Pretty Woman. The portion where Jenna-the-executive relishes the expensive clothes and bags in her closet as she dresses up for a party is similar to Julia Roberts' scene when she gets ready to go out with Richard Gere, complete with campy background music.

2. Home Alone. When Garner happily munches on junk food while watching an black-and-white movie on tv, she reminds you of Macaulay Culkin doing the same thing after his family accidentally leaves him home alone for the holidays.

3. Charlie's Angels. Cameron Diaz's infamous 70s dance sequence is reincarnated into Garner's 'Thriller' dance, with matching backup dancers and chic dress worthy of Saturday Night Live.

About the time the movie uses up cliche lines and scenes, the main character comes to a realization that her seemingly minor decision to become part of the 'in' crowd at the expense of her loyal, best guy-friend has grave consequences. Jenna's change of heart is surprisingly a tender moment, only to be ruined by her return to teenhood through the unexplainable wishing dust, ala deus ex machina.

Overall, 13 Going on 30 is one of those nonsensical films that will make you forget your worries if only for an hour or so. Catch it if only to escape from the horror stories that will most likely grace the TV screens this coming long weekend.