13 Going on 30 (2004)

Director: Gary Winick
Writer: Josh Goldsmith, Cathy Yuspa
Cast: Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, Judy Greer, Andy Serkis
Genre: Rom-Com, Fantasy

13 Going on 30 is something as rare as a candle movie working almost without a glitch. While it follows all the ancient recipes of Rom-Coms, it manage to elevate above the crowd thanks to its ability to nail the 13 year old suddenly 30. Garner shows comedic talent I hardly knew she possessed, and most of the memorable moments in this movie is her 13 year old self acting out in the older body of Garner.

My affection for Ruffalo have grown thank to several well selected roles within the genre. He's as good as he usual is, but here he's the sidekick. This is, and was always intended to be Garner's show. The premise of a miserable 13 year old wishing to be 30, and thanks to some wishing powder gets her wish fulfilled, is both a fun and fascinating experience. It doesn't hide the fact people change as they grow up, it doesn't forget there's new technology even if I think they should have taken that angle a bit further and most of all it remember that the lack of life experience makes the newly 30 year old act rather strangely.

Filled with charm and filled with heart. One of the better movies I've seen in a while within its genre.