Movie Review

Ashley Elkins

10/14/09

Seventeen Again

Mike O’Donnell’s (Matthew Perry) story is the classic portrayal of a golden boy who loses his edge with age. Seventeen Again (released in April of 2009) is a film that will make audiences laugh and think at the same time. While the characters have a light heartedness to their essence, there is a deeper meaning to this film. Directed Burr Stevens and produced by Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot, Seventeen Again, will make people smile at Mike’s goofy situations and maybe even rethink their family values.

Seventeen Again captures the essence of a man broken by the loss of his dream. Mike O’Donnell has become bitter over the years since stepping off the court and marrying his high school sweet heart Scarlet (Leslie Mann) in order to raise their child. Now facing a difficult divorce and living with his best friend Ned, (Thomas Lennon) Mike has to choose what really matters in order to fight for a relationship with his crumbling family, but there is a catch, with wishes to relive the golden days Mike is somehow transformed back into his 17-year-old body (Zac Efron) and now has the chance to relive the life he gave up.

Matthew Perry accurately portrays an average dad who just can’t seem to do anything right according to his teenage children Maggie (Michelle Trachtenbert) and Alex (Sterling Knight). Things shift as Zac Efron takes the role of Mike and becomes the latest heartthrob at Hayden High School, but his sights are only Scarlet. Leslie Man does a great job at playing a mom who wants what is best for her family, but deeply misses her husband. Maggie and Alex accurately give justice to most teenagers as Maggie discovers her high school boyfriend is not who he says he is, and Alex struggles with insecurities and trying to fit in. While this unconventional dad of 17 works to save his family he learns that he was wrong in thinking his dreams had died, because his dreams lie in his children now.

Steers makes his theme clear as the movie progresses. The things that matter the most in life are love and family, and there are such a things as second chances. Even if a man has spent much of his adulthood life resenting those around, there is a chance to change. Mike’s 17-year-old self realizes this as he helps Alex to join the basketball team and find an inner confidence. He even gives Maggie hope after her boyfriend breaks up with her; Mike tells Maggie that she will meet a boy one day that will appreciate her and give her the attention she deserves. His hope is that his family will give him a second chance.

The comical situations Mike encounters and the love he discovers will touch audiences’ hearts, and give them the hope that there are happy endings. Seventeen Again will make people laugh and smirk, and it may even give people the urge to give their family a big hug.