Freaky Friday (2.5 out of 4)

Starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Alison Lohan. Directed by Mark Waters.

The third Disney film based on Mary Rodgers' popular 1972 novel, this Freaky Friday isn't as entertaining as the 1977 one starring Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster, but certainly weightier than the Shelley Long-Gaby Hoffman starrer of 1995. Despite a breezy and appealing premise, Freaky Friday is lazy on performances and execution.
The story centres on stressed psychotherapist Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) on the eve of her engagement to the perfect guy (Mark Harmon), but unable to communicate with her rebellious 15-year-old daughter, Anna (Lindsay Lohan). During one of their many arguments, this time at a Chinese restaurant, the eatery's matron casts a spell that transports mother and daughter into each other's bodies. Now it's a race against time - Tess is getting married the next day - to undo the spell, but meanwhile Anna revamps Tess' image, while Tess gets a dose of nasty high school.
Fairly simple stuff, but Lee's strident performance is irritating and disappointing. Lohan fares actually better, but she too is obvious and mimicry. Harmon delivers the most interesting performance of the picture as the ill-at-ease stepfather to be.
Young gals will get a kick out Freaky Friday, but the picture will fare better on video.

Publication Date: 2003-08-03
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3011