Back to school.............. (17 Again (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	17 Again (DVD)
Date:	04/10/09 (46 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some funny moments, Efron is good

Disadvantages: Some cringeworthy moments

17 Again is a bit like those body swap films you often see repeated and remade over and over again. This one, however, is like a cross between them and Tom Hanks' film Big, only in reverse. With some comedic moments and a warm story to follow, it's surprisingly entertaining, and one that's worth giving a go.

Matthew Perry plays Mark O'Donnell, who gave up a basketball scholarship when he was 17 to stick by his pregnant girlfriend. 20 years and 2 kids later, they're on the verge of divorce, and he has spent the past 20 years complaining how he gave everything up and is unhappy with his life. A chance encounter with a mysterious man makes Mark 17 again, and when he realises that his body has unaged 20 years, he embarks on that thirst for the enjoyment he never got when he was teen.

I make it sound like it's all about how selfish Mark is, and while this is kind of the point of the film in many ways, it's also way more than that. It shows Mark having to go back to school, and now being in the same class as his daughter, who is dating the school bully, who in turn picks on Mark's son. Add to that the fact that Mark doesn't actually want to divorce his wife, and realises he wants her back and to make everything better, and you have yourself the romcom elements.

Okay, despite the presence of Zac Efron as 17 year old Mark, and some decent performances from the supporting cast such as Leslie Mann and Michelle Trachtenburg, this is still romcom and it seems all too predictable. There are some really awkward and uncomfortable scenes where the 17 year old Mark forgets he's 17 and is flirting outrageously with his wife (physically 20 years older than him...) - it's a bit cringeworthy, and even if this is deliberate, I found it, and other similar scenes, broke the film up a bit and prevented the flowing enjoyment that most of it brings.

Overall, it's a well scripted and acted film, with a decent soundtrack that certainly helps keep the fun element in it. There are some good comedy moments, and I found it passed the time very nicely. At just over an hour and a half, it was about the right length for such a film, and it certainly won't have done any of the stars' acting careers any harm. An enjoyable to watch romcom, with Efron being his usual typical high school stud self, 17 Again is currently available from amazon.co.uk for £6.78. Nothing special, but recommended nonetheless.

Summary: Enjoyable romcom about a grown man who winds up a teen again