Review - Freaky Friday (2003)

        Hey guys, Chuck here. One of Disney's most recurring film titles is Freaky Friday. Based on the book of the same name, the 1976 original with Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster is widely seen as a Disney classic. Unfortunately, a number of films released afterwards weren't quite as good. However, there was a 2003 film version of Freaky Friday that was, for all intents and purposes, universally well liked. And, with that film getting a sequel this summer, I wanted to give my thoughts on Disney's 2003 version of Freaky Friday, directed by Mark Waters and starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan, Chad Michael Murray, Mark Harmon, Harold Gould, Christina Vidal, Haley Hudson, Ryan Malgarini, and Stephen Tobolowsky. 

        So, this movie introduces us to Tess Coleman, a hard working psychiatrist who is juggling her career with raising her two kids: teenage daughter Anna, and young son Harry. As for Anna, she struggles with most stuff teenagers struggle with, such as being picked on by her former childhood friend Stacey, dealing with unsympathetic teachers, and being unfairly flunked by a vindictive English teacher named Mr. Bates. To make matters worse, Tess is engaged to marry a man named Ryan, and Anna hasn't fully accepted him. 

       On a Thursday night, after a rough day of school for Anna, she and her indie rock band Pink Slip practice in the Coleman's garage, and it's revealed that the band has an audition for a music showcase called the Wango Tango. Unfortunately, the audition is the following night, at the same time as Tess' rehearsal dinner, which Anna has to attend. While out at dinner at the Chinese restaurant of a family friend named Pei-Pei, Anna and Tess step aside and have an argument, when Pei-Pei's mother offers them each a fortune cookie. Reading the fortune, things go bizarre when they feel an earthquake, but only THEY can feel it. 

       However, that's not where things stop getting bizarre, as Tess wakes up the next morning only to find she and Anna have swapped bodies overnight. So, until they can find a way to switch back, Anna and Tess must pretend to be each other. Meaning Tess has to attend Anna's school for the day, and Anna has to see Tess' patients. And, while things for Anna go a bit alright, with Anna even going on a shopping spree, getting Tess' ears pierced and a haircut, Tess struggles with school. And, she puts together that Mr. Bates was a former classmate of hers that she declined his invitation to prom, and he's taking his bitterness out on Anna, and she even threatens to report his vindictive behavior if he doesn't stop. But, nothing can be done about Stacey, who is an evil bitch. And, I do mean "high school evil." Tess also meets Jake, a guy that Anna has a crush on, and he helps Tess complete a math test that Stacey screwed her out of. Anna and Tess meet at Pei-Pei's restaurant, where she reveals that the two can only switch back when the fortune has been fulfilled. 

       Anna goes to a parent teacher meeting at Harry's school, and learns how much he looks up to her, despite having fun getting on her nerves. Also, Ryan has a surprise in the form of an interview on live TV that, well, doesn't go well. Later though, she meets Jake at a café he works at, and the two bond over music. Specifically, the song "...Baby, One More Time" by Britney Spears. That night, Anna's friends try to sneak her out of the rehearsal dinner to perform at the Wango Tango audition, which Ryan let's her go to in the hope of winning Anna's favor. At the audition, as Tess doesn't know how to play, Anna unplugs Tess' guitar, and plays off on the side while Tess mimes the guitar movements. 

        After the audition, which goes very well, Anna and Tess discuss possibly asking Ryan to postpone the wedding until things get back to normal. But, Anna instead gives a heartfelt speech that acknowledges how much Ryan has made Tess happy. This selfless act fulfills the fortune, and Anna and Tess switch back to their original bodies. The next day is the wedding, and Tess and Ryan are officially married. Tess allows Anna to start dating Jake, and even lets Pink Slip play at the reception. But, when Pei-Pei's mother attempts to had fortune cookies to Harry and Alan (Tess' father), Pei-Pei scoops the cookies up before another swap can happen. 

       The 2003 Freaky Friday was a ton of fun, but definitely a product of its era. The overall look and aesthetic definitely had the feel of the early 2000's, and it shows even still to this day. But, what makes it work is the brilliant writing and the brilliant performances, especially from the leading duo of Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. Seeing Lindsay Lohan portraying an adult woman in the body of a teenage girl, and Jamie Lee Curtis portraying a teenage girl in the body of an adult woman, is absolutely hilarious, and allows the natural comedic talents of both women to shine in absolutely hilarious ways. And, that's not to shy away from the supporting cast, especially the likes of Mark Harmon as Ryan and Chad Michael Murray as Jake, both of whom are able to offset the comedic performances of Curtis and Lohan by playing things straight. Although, seeing Chad Michael Murray belting out a Britney Spears song was pretty funny. A couple other hilarious performances came from the likes of Harold Gould as Tess' father Alan and Stephen Tobolowsky as Mr. Bates, and I especially found it hilarious that the latter was a vindictive jerk who was taking out his frustrations on a student for something her mother did years before. Talk about petty, jeez. 

       All in all, this is a fun one from Disney, and I definitely recommend checking it out either on Disney+. And, I definitely think it's worth checking out before seeing its upcoming sequel. 

       Anyway guys, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you in the next review.