13 Going on 30 (2004)

Director:

Gary Winick

Writers (WGA):

Josh Goldsmith (written by) &
Cathy Yuspa (written by)

Release Date:

23 April 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

For some, 13 feels like it was just yesterday. For Jenna, it was.

Plot:

A 13 year old girl plays a game on her 13th birthday and wakes up the next day as a 30 year old woman.

Plot Keywords:

New Jersey | Digits In Title | Editor | Love | Best Friend

Awards:

11 nominations

Cast

Jennifer Garner	...	Jenna Rink
Mark Ruffalo	...	Matt Flamhaff
Judy Greer	...	Lucy Wyman
Andy Serkis	...	Richard Kneeland
Kathy Baker	...	Bev Rink
Phil Reeves	...	Wayne Rink
Samuel Ball	...	Alex Carlson
Marcia DeBonis	...	Arlene
Christa B. Allen	...	Young Jenna
Sean Marquette	...	Young Matt
Kiersten Warren	...	Trish Sackett
Joe Grifasi	...	Mr. Flamhaff
Mary Pat Gleason	...	Mrs. Flamhaff
Susan Egan	...	Tracy Hansen
Lynn Collins	...	Wendy

Also Known As:

Suddenly 30 (Australia)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and brief drug references.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Brazil:Livre | Canada:G (Quebec) | South Korea:15 | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Germany:o.Al. | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40114) | Malaysia:U | Finland:K-3 | France:U | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Iceland:L | Ireland:12 | Netherlands:AL | Norway:A | Philippines:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12A

Filming Locations:

777 S. Figueroa Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Revolution Studios

Trivia:

Jenna's birth date is 26 May 1974.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Matt gives back the Dream House to Jenna in his old bedroom in 2004, there is no visible wishing dust on the roof, just a little of it stuck to the side wall. However there is plenty of it on the roof later when Jenna sits down in the backyard and the wind starts to whirl it up.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Boy: Move it, dorkus.

Movie Connections:

References Bambi (1942)

Soundtrack:

Love is a Battlefield

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but this film was a delight

It's 1987 and Jenna Rink (Christa B Allen) is having a hellish 13th birthday. Mocked by the local teen queens and their leader Lucy, with her only friend being Matt, the chubby boy next door, Jenna's had enough. If only she were 30, she'd be able to control her life. A whiff of magic dust later, and she fastforwards 17 years to the supervixen body of Jennifer Garner, a fab job editing her favourite magazine and a walk-in wardrobe. Jenna goes through the usual fish-out-of-water schtick , but finds that although she may have achieved her dreams, she's a bitch. Her best friend's now the adult Lucy (Judy Greer), while the grown-up Matt doesn't want to talk to her.

Suddenly 30's not innovative and it's certainly corny, but this chick-flick take on Big is charming. Jennifer Garner is suitably wide-eyed and her delight in life is infectious – she's ably supported by Mark Ruffalo as skeptical photographer Matt. I also like that although Jenna struggles in an adult world, she's still able to perform her job, showcasing the talent that she already has as a child. The fashion of both eras is spot on, although Jenna's fondness for Rick Springfield and Michael Jackson's Thriller is more 1984 than 1987.

Overall, Suddenly 30 makes the most of a tired premise to deliver a feel-good slightly guilty pleasure. ***/***** stars.