It seems like an interesting premise. What would happen if you placed a 13-year-old girl’s mind into the body of a 30-year-old woman? If this idea sounds familiar, that’s because it is. It’s exactly the same premise used in “Big,” starring Tom Hanks, which I remember as a pretty funny movie, although not a great one. Did the makers of “13 Going on 30” learn anything from their predecessor?
After 13-year-old Jenna Rinks is disappointed by her dream boy, she wishes she could be “30, flirty and thriving.” Add a little magic dust and next thing you know, Jenna (Jennifer Garner) is 30 and a successful magazine editor.
Jenna can hardly believe who she has become, not only physically but also morally. She contacts an old friend, Matt (Mark Ruffalo), to help her cope with her emotions and job responsibilities. This creates somewhat of a conflict, because Matt had a crush on Jenna when they were kids, but he did not meet Jenna’s wanna-be popular standards.
But now Matt has grown out of his dorky body and is a semi-successful photographer about to get married. Jenna becomes interested.
Jennifer Garner, who is best known for her lead role in the spy/action TV series “Alias,” shows her diversity in this movie. In contrast to her part in “Alias,” here she plays a much sillier character that deals with more realistic life issues that don’t include dodging bullets.
The best way to describe Garner’s impression of the 13-year-old in a 30-year-old body is as an overgrown puppy dog that does not completely have control of her body yet. This seems to be what it would be like to get thrust into an adult body. She also is very excited – almost giddy at points – and somewhat na?ve about her job. All-in-all Garner does a very good job in a very different role for her.
Mark Ruffalo is growing on me. I have seen him in three movies recently: “In the Cut,” “Eternal Sunshine” and this one. In each, he played very different characters and he seems to be improving. Here he gives a natural performance of someone who is suspicious of the girl who broke his heart and shows up on his doorstep saying she’s 13 again. One thing I liked about his character is that he does not fall right back in love with the girl.
I was disappointed that “13 Going on 30” did not take full advantage of the basic premise. Exploring more of the difficulties that a child’s mind stuck in an adult’s body might face would be both funny and socially relevant. The movie touches on issues of sexuality and drinking but does not explore these enough, focusing on the romance between two teenage friends. And that subject is explored in nearly every other Hollywood movie.
I am also a little uncertain about the messages a movie like this sends out to youngsters. On the positive side it shows the immaturity of adults and the innocence of youth. The magazine that Jenna works at is filled with back-stabbers, who still seem to be involved in high school cliques and pranks.
But it also sends out a message that kids who are not considered attractive need a miracle, like being sent 17 years into the future, to see their worth.
I was very impressed by the realistic portrayal Garner and Ruffalo gave of two characters that could be difficult to grasp. Their acting added at least a bit of humor to this mostly boring movie.
What I did not like was the predictable love story that develops and the messages it presents. “13 Going on 30” is not a must-see. If you are really interested, just wait until it comes out on videotape.
Michael McAllister can be contacted at [email protected]