13 Going on 30
Some may not be aware there ’s a minuscule something extra at the very destruction of the mention for13 Going on 30 . It ’s not an extra picture in the vein of theMarvel Cinematic Universe ’s signature stingers(some of which have included13 go on 30star Mark Ruffalo ) , but audio recording of teen girls gleefully singing along to " Love is a Battlefield , " much like in an early scene in the flick . I only just observe this while rewatching the moving-picture show and was delighted by all it represent .
Cast
13 Going on 30 is 2004 phantasy romanticist comedy about a 13 - year - sure-enough lady friend named Jenna Rink , who , in 1987 , dream of being popular and wishes she were " thirty and flirty and thriving . " She later wakes up in 2004 at the age of 30 . Jennifer Garner stars as 30 - year - old Jenna , while Christa B. Allen encounter the role of young Jenna . Mark Ruffalo , Judy Greer , Jim Gaffigan , and Andy Serkis also star .
Gary Winick’s13 Going on 30is often regarded as one of the most dear rom - coms of the former 2000s , and for good reason . At the same time , there ’s so much more run on in this movie that resonates even now . Beyond the hilarity of itsbody - swop premise , the sweetness of its cardinal love story ( which , we can admit , is a little weird when looked at closely ) , and its perfectly arrant " Thriller " scene,13 Going on 30is a refreshing solemnisation of girlhood and rest honest to yourself , particularly in the face of develop up .
Jennifer Garner Is Why 13 Going On 30 Works So Well
She Gives A Memorable, Perfect Performance
It all begins with four simple words : " XXX , flirty , and thriving . " 13 - year - old Jenna Rink ( Christa B. Allen ) , unsatisfied with her life as an ill at ease and unpopular small fry , reduplicate the musical phrase over and over after being humiliated by the coolheaded kids at her own birthday party . aid by some unexplained magic on the face of it interweave into the gift from her just friend , Jenna inflame up in a gorgeous New York City flat , now 30 days old and work as an editor at her favorite cartridge clip . It ’s a ambition hail true — until it ’s not .
13 Going on 30is far from the first movie to conceive of someone waking up in another eubstance , or even someone waking up several decennary old . Nevertheless , it border on the concept with a brisk vigor that does n’t shy away from the giddiness of the idea . It helps that Jennifer Garner , as the 30 - twelvemonth - honest-to-goodness Jenna , fetch a bright - eyed exuberance to the part that instantly make her lovable , even when she ’s making us cringe . Garner has perfect comedic timing and effortlessly moves between childlike innocence and heartfelt earnestness .
13 Going On 30 Is A Beloved Rom-Com For A Reason
But It Also Has So Many Other Strengths
Watching this movie in 2025 does require some intermission of incredulity , and not just as it concern to the independent plot gimmick . The idea that Jenna , as a 30 - year - honest-to-god , could have the flat and job that she does is a touch nonsensical , but one could say that ’s the legerdemain of the other 2000s .
In a path , it ’s also magical that13 fail on 30manages to deal Jenna ’s Latinian language with her childhood best booster Matt ( Ruffalo ) , considering she has the head of a teenager while he ’s an grownup . I realize that , by pointing this out , I might seem like I ’m trying to " cancel " this movie , but that ’s not the case at all .
In 2002 , Sam Raimi changed the world thanks to the long - gestating first major live - action adaptation of Spider - Man , and it remains improbably good .
It ’s very easygoing to rout for Jenna and Matt , both because their story — which witness the two reconnect after a years - long rupture — is satisfying and because Garner and Ruffalo have beautiful chemistry that evokes the sweetness of young love life . Jenna and Matt were thick as thieves as teens , but they ’ve arise apart in maturity due to the former ’s increase popularity and ruthlessness . As Jenna grip with the world of who she get up to be , her renewed connectedness with Matt allows her to hold on to who she really is .
That Jenna embrace it all and make back in tactual sensation with herself , all while fall in making love with a very moony Mark Ruffalo , is a beautiful arc that I ’m sure hits home for many woman keep an eye on today .
And that ’s really where the sum of the rom - com lies . Jenna ’s romance with Matty is a big part of her account , but it does n’t overshadow her personal and professional journey . At the start of the movie , Jenna retrieve growing up will fix all her problems and that there is n’t any part of her 13 - year - old ego that ’s deserving retain . However , some harsh realities about her friendly relationship with former pop missy Lucy ( Judy Greer ) and her condition at fashion magazine publisher Poise make her realize she has more strength than she realizes .
That was what stood out to me the most during this13 pass on 30rewatch . Jenna learns to prize her kindness , her creativity , and her big heart , which are often things girls find they have to leave behind as they get older . That Jenna embrace it all and bring forth back in touch with herself , all while descend in love with a very dreamy Mark Ruffalo , is a beautiful spark that I ’m sure hits home for many women watching today . The pic might hold some flaws , sure enough , but it ’s a consolatory motion picture that will continue to stick with hearing .
13 Going on 30is now available on Netflix . It is 98 minutes long and rat PG-13 for some intimate content and brief drug references .
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