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FREAKY FRIDAY (Dir: Gary Nelson, 1976).
Walt Disney Productions' Freaky Friday is an early example of the 'body swap' comedy.
It tells the story of frustrated housewife Ellen Andrews (Barbara Harris) and her daughter Annabel (Jodie Foster). Following an argument on the morning of Friday the 13th the pair wish to change places, both believing the other has the more desirable life. Magically their wish is granted. Mom has to try to make it through a school day, while daughter deals with the pressures of housework. Comedy high jinks ensue.
While its concept no longer seems original, Freaky Friday is still a fairly fresh and funny movie, largely due to the excellent performances from its leads. Jodie Foster is terrific as the 35 year old mind in the body of a 13 year old, but the real revelation is Barbara Harris. Playing baseball with a team of 8 year olds, flirting with a teenage neighbour, having a meltdown over household chores; Harris perfectly captures the manic mind of 13 year old let loose in the body of a grown woman, proving herself an adept comedy actress in a fairly demanding physical role. Solid support from John Astin as bemused husband/father Bill Andrews, Sparky Marcus as Annabel’s brother ‘Ape Face’, Marc McClure as neighbourhood crush Boris and Patsy Kelly as the Andrew’s boozy housekeeper round out an appealing principle cast.
For the most part director Gary Nelson avoids the formulaic, cookie-cutter approach associated with Disney comedy movies of the era, thanks to Mary Rodger's superior script which stays close to spirit of her book. The movie occasionally veers a little too far into slapstick but most of it works and there are more big laughs than not. The mother/daughter relationship at the movies core is completely believable, through the misunderstandings to the inevitable reconciliation. The denouncement is nicely handled, not too sentimental and quite touching.
Freaky Friday is a good natured romp, with plenty of big laughs and let's be honest, who among us hasn't wondered what it would be like to switch places with Jodie Foster?
Read a longer, more in-depth version of this review on my blog: jinglebonesmovietime.blogspot.com