Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A movie that needs no remake, July 28, 2003
"Freaky Friday" is a true classic film to come from the world of Disney.
With Jodie Foster, one of the most brilliant and beautiful actresses of her generation, as Annabel, and the vivacious Barbara Harris as her mom, Ellen "Freaky Friday" has gone down in my history of film watching as one of the best all around.
Upon seeing the preview of the new version with jamie lee curtis, I immediately seeked out the orginal. It is funny, and just a pure joy to view multiple times.
The movie's basic plot is it's Friday the 13th, and Annabel and her mom are at war with each other. They both exclaim "i wish I could trade places with her", and their wishes come true!
The hijinks and chaos ensues.
Here's a film you can watch with your entire family. How many movies can you say that about these days?
it's utterly unforgettable, and even now that I am no longer a kid, I will always have a special place in my heart for this sweet silly story.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jodie Foster becomes Barbara Harris and vice versa, December 22, 2005
The theory in films, as in television, is everyone is gone for the summer. So do not release any heavyweight films until fall. This left summer wide open for Disney. They used to release a new film every other week during the summer.
Then came Jaws, the first major summer hit. Studios realized that summer was time to make money. Therefore, Disney lost their stranglehold using cheap frothy films. Freaky Friday was one of Disney's attempts to recapture this market and this film performed.
Disney kept their family friendly format but upped the ante with better actors and better scripts. Instead of going for big stars, Disney looked for proven actors on their way up. They found Barbara Harris. Jodie Foster had already done Menace on the Mountain, Napoleon & Samantha, One Little Indian and Candleshoe for Disney. She considered Disney as a family. (Remember that this was the old Disney).
Annabel Andrews is your typical fifteen year old. She has a mom (Barbara Harris), dad (John Astin) and pesky younger brother (Sparky Marcus). She admits that at her age she may still love her mother but she can't stand being with her. Her mother has similar feelings.
It's Friday the 13th (before Jason made it famous). It's an important day for both of them. Annabel has a field hockey championship and is to perform at the Aquacade. And mom has the rug cleaner and caterers for a party. So this is a perfect day for them to switch bodies.
Now this may sound as silly as some of the films that ripped off this idea. But this film is no way silly. It really deals with the generation gap when it is at its peak.
This is a tour de farce performance by Barbara Harris. For two thirds of the film, Harris plays a grown woman possessed by a 15 year old. She does this convincingly. (She received a Golden Globe nomination).
Jodie Foster has no simple role either playing a 15 year old being inhabited by a 40 year old. But it is a bit simpler.
This is a must see film for all teenagers and their parents. This is superior to the two remakes.
DVD EXTRAS:
A Look Back with Jodie Foster - Jodie reminisces about her time at Disney and the movie Freaky Friday. You can tell she has a fondness for tenure at the old Disney Studio.
Freaky Friday Interactive Memory Game - This would not entertain even a 2 year old. There are 8 cards and you must match the pairs.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Genial Disney Flick, October 31, 2004
Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris star as a mother-daughter duo in Disney's 1976 original "Freaky Friday." As the movie opens, Foster and Harris are at each other throats and complaining about how easy the other person has it. As they simultaneously wish that they could be the other person, they switch bodies. Much of what transpires from here on out is predictable and resorts to a bit too much slap-stick.
Fortunately, the script is extremely genial and some genuine moments emerge. I didn't laugh out loud very many times, but the film is sweet and made me smile. In addition, Foster and Harris give very good performances; in fact, both of them scored Golden Globes nominations for Best Actress - Comedy or Musical (they lost to Barbra Streisand in "A Star is Born"). Overall, "Freaky Friday" is an above-average and very enjoyable Disney flick from the period.
The movie was a solid success, finishing 1976 as the #18 money-maker. Of note, the #17 movie was another Foster flick - "Taxi Driver." Needless to say, these movies represent polar opposites of film-making; however, watching both of them is an interesting study in contrast as well as testament to Foster's talent in pulling off disparate characters. Look quick for Charlene Tilton of "Dallas" fame as one of Foster's pals.
DVD Extras: A 20 minute interview with Jodie Foster from around 2003 in which she discusses making "Freaky Friday" and other Disney movies. Her interview seems to have been part of a larger piece, but it's interesting nevertheless.
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