Freaky Friday
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Movie Reviews of Freaky Friday
Movie Review: '70's Disney Fun!
Summary: 4 Stars
It's Friday the 13th, and tomboy thirteen-year-old Anabel Andrews (Jodie Foster) and her more level-headed mother Ellen (Barbara Harris) are at odds again, causing each to wish they were in the other's shoes. Both seem to think the other has it easy, and they soon find out otherwise when their wish comes true and their spirits swap bodies inexplicably! Now in her mother's body, Anabel discovers that Ellen has more to do all day than sit around watching TV and eating junk, and also that her dreamy daddy (John Astin) isn't all he's cracked up to be as a husband. Meanwhile, Ellen learns that Anabel's life isn't all fun and games either, and that the pressures of teenage-life can be more than even an adult can handle.
It's a simple plot with a basic message, and the film has more entertainment value than anything else, but for that purpose it works so well that the idea has been used many times since, including as two remakes (though, oddly, considering the film's ending, never a sequel). This 1977 original could be considered typical Disney '70's comedy fluff, but maybe it's the stars and the appeal to the female audience that sets it above the others in the hearts and minds of Disney fans and film fans in general. To be straightforward, I, myself, am giving the film 4 out of 5 stars, despite the fact that I'm a Disney fanatic. I enjoy it very much, but even of the '70's Disney comedies, it's not among my top faves. I'm a big Kurt Russell and Dean Jones fan. I also have always kinda felt that the characters didn't seem to be right on with their portrayals of each other. They're great performances, but rather seemed more like they were playing a mother and daughter's interpretation of how a teen or adult would act, respectively being overly goofy and overly mature. It's not an extreme annoyance, but it is a slight impression I get. Luckily, both leads are such good actresses that the film is highly enjoyable anyway. The film is loaded with great actors in fact, and has some really great moments. Though Jodie Foster is undeniably a great actress, I have to say I find the scenes with Barbara Harris far more entertaining. Marc McClure as Boris Harris, the teenage boy across the street that Anabel is crushing on, is notable as well for some really hilarious moments. The Jodie Foster material is entertaining too though, and watching this film on the Disney Channel as I was growing up, I particularly enjoyed it for a couple of her cute friends, Virginia and Bambi, played by Vicki Schreck and Charlene Tilton.
For the Disney fan, the original "Freaky Friday" is a must-have, but anyone should be able to enjoy this wacky and fun classic, and ya gotta love those animated Disney openings! Full of groovy music and lots of laughs, the DVD is a great buy and even comes with a couple of extras. One is a match game that I didn't find all that special, but the other is an excellent interview with Jodie Foster about Freaky Friday and her career at Disney in general! An excellent supplement. The film is presented in its original widescreen format and is highly recommend for fun, family-friendly viewing!
Movie Review: FREAK ACCIDENT, CLASSIC FISH-OUT-OF-WATER COMEDY
Summary: 4 Stars
"Freaky Friday" is a classic Disney comedy that required no remake. As a `coming of age' film it sincerely examines the trials and tribulations of both parents and children without ever allowing either perspective to become condescendingly smug. After the hysteria that was Haley Mills had cooled in the late sixties the Disney studio began searching for a teenage successor that could ensure box office success in the 1970s. They found their heir apparent in the embodiment of tomboyish, Jodie Foster. In "Freaky Friday" Foster plays Annabelle, the belligerent teenager who can't wait to grow up. She envisions that her mother, Ellen (Barbara Harris) lives a life of elegance and luxury, and, as such, Annabelle longs for just one chance to revel in what she perceives to be the pampered existence of adulthood. Likewise, Ellen can't understand why her teenager daughter complains so much about being a teenager. Both women get a reality check when a `freak' accident transposes their brains into each other's bodies thus affording them the opportunity to experience each other's lifestyle for one catastrophically hilarious day. John Astin, Dick Van Patten and Ruth Buzzi costar.TRANSFER: A very nice, very clean looking, anamorphically enhanced presentation. Colors are rich, vibrant and bold. Age related artifacts are a rarity. Rear projection and special effects photography appears worse for the wear than the rest of film, but is only marginally distracting. Contrast and black levels are solid. Overall, the picture has a very smooth characteristic that is easy on the eyes. The audio is mono and somewhat strident but, at a moderate listening level, quite acceptable.
EXTRAS: A 'look back' featurette and interactive game - boring!
BOTTOM LINE: Recommended.
Movie Review: Genial Disney Flick
Summary: 4 Stars
Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris star as a mother-daughter duo in Disney's 1976 original "Freaky Friday." As the movie opens, Foster and Harris are at each other throats and complaining about how easy the other person has it. As they simultaneously wish that they could be the other person, they switch bodies. Much of what transpires from here on out is predictable and resorts to a bit too much slap-stick.
Fortunately, the script is extremely genial and some genuine moments emerge. I didn't laugh out loud very many times, but the film is sweet and made me smile. In addition, Foster and Harris give very good performances; in fact, both of them scored Golden Globes nominations for Best Actress - Comedy or Musical (they lost to Barbra Streisand in "A Star is Born"). Overall, "Freaky Friday" is an above-average and very enjoyable Disney flick from the period.
The movie was a solid success, finishing 1976 as the #18 money-maker. Of note, the #17 movie was another Foster flick - "Taxi Driver." Needless to say, these movies represent polar opposites of film-making; however, watching both of them is an interesting study in contrast as well as testament to Foster's talent in pulling off disparate characters. Look quick for Charlene Tilton of "Dallas" fame as one of Foster's pals.
DVD Extras: A 20 minute interview with Jodie Foster from around 2003 in which she discusses making "Freaky Friday" and other Disney movies. Her interview seems to have been part of a larger piece, but it's interesting nevertheless.
Movie Review: Good Original but try these two...
Summary: 4 Stars
OK, I like this original well enough. I saw it on the Wonderfull World of Disney on TV and then repeats on Cable. I have to agree with some of the other posters that Annabelle being 13 makes the car driving funnier. And "Gomez Adams" as the Dad is also a great plus.
Yet, I personally like the 1st remake with Shelly Long / Gaby Hoffmann. (NOT out on DVD, but I am waiting) Given that its a worn out premise, I like the "feel" of this version. It a more modern look, with out the "too cool" look of the newest version. It has pretty good chemistry with the two leads.
I would also like to recommend another switched-bodies movie that is very cute. Its called "Wish upon a Star" with Danielle Harris / Catherine Heigl. It's a little sister / big sister switch. Just a fun little movie but that has a pretty nice message about sibling opposites understaing each other and getting along. This one is available on DVD, just type it into the search box.
Movie Review: Great, but remake is funnier
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a great movie, and my interest in it was rekindled after seeing the remake with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. While this has a quaint 70s charm to it, the remake is, in my opinion, a funnier and better-made movie. Production value is higher in the remake, certainly, and the jokes are more over the top. I think the original was the best movie they could make on this subject some 25-30 years ago, but they were able to bring more to bear later. I would give this 4.5 stars if the system allowed it -- just a hair below the remake. If you are only going to own one of them, go with the other version.