13 Going on 30
Let's be honest: "13 Going on 30" is little more than a post-feminist remake of "Big," complete with cutesy pink pastels and other girlie flourishes.It's also one of the softest comedies in recent memory. It's cuter than it is funny, and it also has a rushed and nonsensical resolution that makes you wonder if the filmmakers, cast and crew simply made it up at the last minute.
And yet, the film has Jennifer Garner, which goes a long way toward redeeming it. In the same way that Tom Hanks made his Great Leap Forward in "Big," Garner does the same thing with what really is so-so material.
While she has most impressed audiences with action-oriented roles in the television series "Alias" and in a supporting role in "Daredevil," it turns out Garner is a natural comedian with real presence. And, ultimately, her convincing performance is what makes "13 Going on 30" watchable.
The film's title refers to Jenna Fine (played as a preteen by Christa B. Allen). Unfortunately, she's not particularly popular, so when her 13th birthday party ends in disappointment, she makes a wish about being older. So guess what happens? She wakes to find herself in the body of a 30-year-old (Garner). What's more, Jenna is now a successful magazine editor with a wardrobe and boyfriend to die for, though she remembers none of this.
So Jenna resolves to do something about that, and she's also determined to save her struggling magazine, which has been getting scooped regularly by the competition.
Although the ending does feel rushed, that makes it no less predictable, which is surprising since this somewhat cuddly little film comes from director Gary Winick and his "Tadpole" screenwriting cohorts. This film lacks the edginess of that earlier effort.
Fortunately, Winick is smart enough to feature Garner on the screen as much as he can. The camera really loves her, and her performance here should provide Garner with the next logical career progression. (Let's just say that she won't be confined to the small screen for long.)
She's also well-matched with the low-key Ruffalo. And stealing a handful of scenes is supporting player Andy Serkis (the CGI character of Gollum in the "Lord of the Rings" movies).
"13 Going on 30" is rated PG-13 for some crude sexual humor and references, scattered use of profanity and some brief drug content (references to drug use). Running time: 99 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com