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© DSFC |
13
GOING ON 30
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pat Ah, what it was like to be 13. I remember liking girls and not having the guts to do anything about it. I remember writing short stories and poetry that were either about death or funny stuff. Same with my artwork. I still to this day can't take notes without invariably doodling a decent looking mushroom cloud, but that's what you learn to drawn during the Cold War. I remember being overweight, under-funny, socially awkward, and in general a person who didn't want to be who I was. Looking back, I realize that most people are there at that stage of life. You know who isn't? The popular kids. The ones who have mom buy all the candy for the candy drive and do no work. They get Skateland parties. They get spoiled by their entire world. Who wouldn't hate that? The rest of us go through changes emotionally and personally that coincide with our bodies changing. We shed the trappings of youth, because with no responsibility you have no power. We're suddenly interested in sex, and since that is an adult thing, we're interested in all of the other adult things. Beer, cigarettes, late night TV, cars, all of these things just out of our reach. If only we were an adult. It must be time to act like one. When we change, we try and do what looks like the right thing, what works for those we admire, since they have it all figured out. We don't see that everyone is messed up. We warp ourselves into people that aren't true reflections of who we are, and then need to take the rest of our lives either burying ourselves in this new persona or trying to shed it through immaturity. What if you skipped all of that growth? What if suddenly you were an adult, living the life you'd led, but you had the same ideals, goals, and optimism of what life would be like someday, only not tainted by the slow journey to get there? That's really what this movie is about, and that's why it works. If it were another "Kid in adult word" caper I think it would have been amusing but not at all involving. Instead, it's very sweet, very honest, and gets the message across without being too preachy. It doesn't matter how old you are, you'll have problems. Do the things that are right, and do what's right for you. Learn from your mistakes. Look both ways before crossing the Delaware. Actually, scratch that last one. Jennifer Garner plays a thirteen year old like an actual thirteen year old. Her expressions and body language are spot on in a way you have to step back to remember she's not normally like that. Her timing is great, and her chemistry with the underrated and likeable Mark Ruffalo is unusually natural. Sure, the story and some of the bits are a bit predictable, but it's not worth caring. If you see this to see how it turns out, you're either a cynic or stupid. You see it for the moments, for the pop introspection and nostalgia, and if nothing else you see it to see Garner and the guy who played Gollum (Andy Sirkis) do the Thriller dance. That alone is worth the price of admission. |
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