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By Kellie MacDonald

We, as moviegoers, are so spoiled. 2003 has offered families one of the best crops of family films in recent memory. Fortunately, there's always room for another fantastic family film and Disney delivers with its newest release, Freaky Friday. This is the third time that Disney has remade the classic children's book by Mary Rogers, and this newest version, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, is the best of the three. Freaky Friday tells the story of a mysterious day when a feuding mother and daughter swap bodies and gain understanding of themselves and each other. The film is devoid of sex, violence, and foul language and has been awarded the PTC Seal of Approval for its positive, family-friendly messages.

Dr. Tess Coleman (JAMIE LEE CURTIS) and her daughter Anna (LINDSAY LOHAN) are at their wit's end with each other. Tess thinks her fifteen-year-old is an irresponsible and sloppy mess -- her room is a sty, she can't find her driver's permit, she's always in detention, her clothes and hair are a nightmare, and the music her garage band is churning out sounds more like noise. Anna knows that her "perfect" mom wouldn't last a day as a teenager: she's a control freak and uptight, her menagerie of cell phones, electronic organizers and pagers is always ringing, beeping or buzzing, she doesn't know anything about Anna or her friends, and is convinced that Anna isn't living up to her academic potential. To make matters worse, Tess is getting re-married on Saturday and Anna still isn't sure she's ready for a new dad! At dinner at a Chinese restaurant, Anna and Tess' constant fighting attracts the attention of the restaurant's mysterious owner. Despite the pleas of her own daughter, the restaurant owner decides that a little mother-daughter understanding is what Tess and Anna need.

Mysterious fortune cookies with identical fortunes forebode the misadventures to come, and the next morning (Friday) the two wake-up to find that they've switched bodies! Both women are convinced that they could live the other's life better (they don't know if the switch is permanent) and decide to try to live as each other. Tess (in Anna's body) heads to high school and Anna (in Tess' body) struggles to prepare for her impending nuptials. Hilarity ensues.

Freaky Friday is a great movie for families because it's funny, cute, and is free of objectionable content. However, the film is rated PG for mild thematic elements and some language and may be best suited for children over age 10. The language in Freaky Friday is mild and is appropriate for a PG rating. The word "sucks" was used several times and Anna's bratty brother Harry, (RYAN MALAGARINI) calls his cranky grandpa an "old fart." Harry also tells his mom to "get a room" when she and fiancé, Ryan (MARK HARMON) kiss. When Tess and Anna discover they have switched bodies, a partial shot of the top of Jamie Lee Curtis' rear end is visible (in thong underwear) as she changes out of a pair of pants. In another scene, a man's behind is autographed and a partial butt cheek and the signature are seen. Bratty brother Harry and his friends don some of Anna's bras. Anna and Harry squabble and call each other names and in one scene, Anna ties a pair of boy's briefs around Harry's face. All of these actions are lighthearted and effectively evoked choruses of laughter from the audience. There was no violence in the film, but Anna does have to deal with a female bully and there is a mildly frightening earthquake that marks the beginning and end of Anna and Tess' body switch.

Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis give wonderful performances despite the challenges of each actress having to master two separate personas (Lohan as Anna and as Tess in Anna's body and Curtis as Tess and Anna in Tess' body.) I knew that Lohan would be up to the challenge; after all, her first starring film role was as the reunited twins, Hallie and Annie in Disney's 1998 remake of The Parent Trap. I must admit that I was a bit surprised by Jamie Lee Curtis' fantastic performance even though I knew she was a gifted comedienne from previous roles in films like A Fish Called Wanda. I guess I'm so engrained with the image of her being the ultimate horror-movie star, that to see her perform so lightheartedly and with such great comedic timing was an unexpected treat. Freaky Friday contains some of the best physical comedy scenes that I've seen in a long time, and parents and children howled with laughter as Anna and Tess struggled in each other's bodies.

Freaky Friday is not only hysterically funny, but it also contains an important look at the dynamics of the mother-daughter relationship. The film offers Tess and Anna the opportunity to walk a mile in the other's shoes and gain the realization that the other is trying her best and is incredible in her own way. The opportunity to learn about another person, while also gaining insight into your own being is a quality lesson and is masterfully presented in Freaky Friday. Tess and Anna learn to give selflessly of themselves and also learn that it isn't necessary for a parent and child to see eye-to-eye in order to have a special and meaningful relationship. For its clean presentation that is entertaining and contains positive messages about the importance of family, the Parents Television Council is proud to award Freaky Friday the PTC Seal of Approval.

Watch the trailer!

Other opinions on this movie:

Freaky Friday By Michael Medved

Freaky Friday By Holly McClure

Family Movie Reviews

The Parents Television Council - www.parentstv.org

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