This has to be one of the best interpretation of what life was like in your teen years, and what we lose when we grow older and have a career. It’s a bittersweet story about life, those that you gain and those that are dear to you that you lose in a flash. Directed by Gary Winick, this teen flick will hit you and you won’t see it coming. One of my guilty chick flicks that I watch every now and then, together with Princess Diaries.

A girl who’s sick of the social strictures of junior high is transformed into a grownup overnight. In this feel-good fairy tale, teenager Jenna (Christa B. Allen) wants a boyfriend, and when she’s unable to find one, she fantasizes about being a well-adjusted adult. Suddenly, her secret desire becomes a reality, and she is transformed into a 30-year-old (Jennifer Garner). But adulthood, with its own set of male-female challenges, isn’t as easy as it looks.

I feel like this was the inspiration for Zac Efron’s 17 Again. Though they did the opposite, technically it’s the same. In essence, the chance to right the wrong. At the time, the concept was new and unique to me, not quite sure if there were similar films beforehand, but I loved it. Both films screams teen life, and it does so perfectly.

Characters

This is one of the first films I’ve watched Jennifer Garner in, and instantly I fell in love with her. When she changed and her childhood personality sticks with her, great performance. And it really does show that she has the mind and personality of a 13 year old girl in a 30 year old body. The way she behaves and acts childish, even in the company of others was both funny and admirable. Her character’s career skyrocketed, but at the cost of those dear to her. A good reminder to us all that your achievements doesn’t define you, but your character does.

Most of the younger generation would say they know Mark Ruffalo as The Incredible Hulk. However, for me, he will always be “Matt.” I like him better in Rom-Coms as opposed to big blockbuster action movies. He excels more in delivering an emotional and intimate performance. His voice and the way he speaks delivers a huge blow, combine it with the right words, it hits you hard. His character stayed true to himself, from his loser childhood, he never lost track of who he was, and never cared about what others might think of him. Thus living his own life on his own terms, regardless of his status of living.