Freaky Friday Movie Review – Looking Back
If you’ve been an avid fan of Disney movies throughout the years, you might be wondering which Freaky Friday we’ll be reviewing today. Today we’re talking about the 2003 adaptation starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. It is actually the third Disney film adaptation of the 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers, and arguably the most iconic out of the three.
Fortune Cookie Magic
The main premise of the movie is that a mother and daughter switch bodies due to the strange magic of a fortune cookie. This causes some problems when the daughter (Anna) suddenly has to speak about a book she had no hand in writing, take care of the family, and avoid the affections of her mother’s fiance. Meanwhile the mother (Tess) has to go back to high school and try to fit in, all while doing math she doesn’t know anymore and having to perform with her daughter’s band.
Freaky Friday does a great job at showing the saying “walk a mile in someone’s shoes.” Tess and Anna experience each other’s lives and thus gain more sympathy and perspective for each other while doing so. Anna has to try and be a therapist and deal with patients, learns more about her brother at a parent-teacher conference, and realizes that Tess’ fiance, Ryan, is actually quite sweet.
Tess realizes that Anna’s teacher has been mean to her due to Tess rejecting her years ago, her old best friend is torturing her, the boy she has a crush on is actually nice, and that the band Anna is in is actually quite good, and that music is fun. Real parents and children should try this sort of role-reversal, or switching of perspectives to really gain some insight into each other’s lives, and therefore gain more empathy and understanding. We don’t recommend actually switching bodies, though!
Remaking an Iconic Film
Freaky Friday is one of the iconic Disney films that have stayed with our culture for generations. Those who watched it when they were children now look fondly back on it as adults. It makes sense — the movies is absolutely hysterical, but has a real deep meaning and heart to it. The scenes where Anna gives her mother a makeover and goes on a shopping spree with her credit cards is practically every child’s fantasy come to life.
Watching Tess try to fit in and be a teenager in high school is hilariously cringy, but it’s also interesting to watch her try and be a high school student for a day — it’s not as easy as it seems! There are also some iconic scenes such as Jake, Anna’s crush, awkwardly singing to Tess; Tess trying to mime alone as Anna secretly plays guitar behind the curtain; Anna causing a scene at the interview for Tess’ book; and of course, both times that they switch bodies. These are all memorable scenes that stick with us despite the movie being 15 years old come August. The songs that Anna’s band, Pink Slip, sing are also quite good on their own. Many people still remember the words and can sing along.
Should You Watch It?
Yes! If you’re looking for a movie that is equal parts funny and heartfelt, Freaky Friday is the one for you. It’s filled with hijinks, awkward hilarity, and pure bonding between not only a mother and daughter, but a whole family. It has memorable songs, and a message that rings true; family is everything.