And we’re back!

This week I was searching for a little comedy, a little romance. And I came across the perfect combination, 13 Going on 30. What could end an eventful Saturday night better than a fantasy rom-com? If this title doesn’t ring a bell to you, then you’re in for a great ride. Now, this surely is not my first time watching this movie. Because I watched it (and loved it) so many times I thought it would be a great film to share with all of you!

This delightful film stars the beautiful and oh so talented Jennifer Garner as Jenna Rink. Remember how awful that “awkward stage”? Remember how badly you couldn’t wait to grow up and be on your own. Well, that is exactly what Jenna had wished for for her 13th birthday. She was sick of being uncool and not being a part of the exclusive Six Chicks click at her school. What a typical life of a teenage girl. All Jenna had was her best friend Matt, played by Matt Ruffalo, and the immense amount of tissues that was stuffed into her bra. Bet you guys don’t miss those days.

Jenna saw her 13th birthday as her last chance to finally make it into the Six Chicks. She invited the whole click to her house, along with a group of boys and Matt. Teenager girls are mean, and the Six Chicks were no exception. As Jenna waited patiently in her closet for her crush to come and play ‘7 Minutes in Heaven’ (I know, I’m sorry for any horrid memories that just came back to the surface), the Six Chicks ditched the party and led Matt into the closet. This makes Jenna furious and blames Matt for scaring away the party and she decides to lock herself in the closet.She cries and rocks backs and forth, bumping into the wall, wishing to be “30, flirty, and thriving”. The wishing dust from the dollhouse that Matt got her for her birthday sprinkles on her, causing her to fall asleep.

I think we can all relate to Jenna at this point. We’ve all been through the embarrassing teen days, especially the ones where our crush doesn’t like us back. If you want to relive those days, then I highly recommend this movie to you!

The next morning, Jenna awakens as a 30-year-old woman (Jennifer Garner) living in a Fifth Avenue apartment. It is now 2004, and Jenna has no memory of the 17 years that have passed since her 13th birthday.Wow, imagine having the option to skip the awkward stage!!! No longer a 13-year-old girl with teased hair or blue eye shadow, Jenna now works as an editor for her favorite fashion magazine. And the best part is that Tom-Tom, the leader of the Six Chicks, is now Jenna’s best friend. What a small world it is.

Jenna slowly starts to piece her new life together, through the help of her ex-best friend Matt.When she finally hunts down Matt, she learns that they haven’t talked since her 13th birthday party and that she finally got her dream of becoming popular.Matt is now a struggling photographer and is also engaged while Jenna is dating a famous hockey player. If you’re like me, this would totally bum you out because you were rooting for Jenna and Matt to end up together. I love being a hopeless romantic.

One of my favorite parts of this movie is when Jenna explores her new, fancy closet. We see colorful shoes, purses and plenty of makeup. Don’t worry, Jenna still embraces the blue eye shadow. This movie is great because of how naive Jenna is, she’s not used to finally having boobs and eats licorice during business meetings.

Jenna finally decides to live her new life and finds a love in her job. She designs a whole new look for the magazine that everyone at the office loves. This all would have been impossible without the help from Matt. This continues to break my heart because we are introduced to Matt’s fiance. Oh,  there is also a totally a unsexy strip tease scene put on by Jenna’s boyfriend. You totally don’t want to miss out on that one.

Also, the soundtrack to this movie is AMAZING. Sometimes I watch it solely for the musical purpose.

Things seem to be going well for Jenna until her so called bff Tom Tom betrays her. I guess mean girls will always be mean girls. Tom Tom sets her up and makes it appear as if she has been sabotaging her magazine by sending their material to a competitor. Jenna’s just so innocent that you can’t help but feel bad for her! Come on, she wears chop sticks in her hair! She heads back to her hometown in New Jersey and hides in the same closet as 17 years before and cries. Her parents return and find her hiding, and they welcome her in for the night. The next day, she reminisces by looking through school yearbook and other items from her school days and catches up on the 17 years she doesn’t remember.

Jenna’s sick of being an adult and wants to return to being that awkward teenager who had it easy. Sound familiar to anyone else?

When Jenna remembers that Matt is getting married that day, she rushes to his house and begs him to call off the wedding. This part, my fellow romantics, you will love. Matt realizes he loves Jenna but cannot change the past. Okay, a mix of emotions but we are getting somewhere I promise. From his closet, he pulls the “dream house” that he made 17 years before, and Jenna asks for it back. Jenna leaves in tears, crying over the dream house. Jenna hears wedding bells, implying that Matt has already married. But viewers never actually see Matt marry.

But…… we never actually see Matt marry. See, there’s hope.

Unknown to Jenna, specks of wishing dust remain on the dream house, and she silently wishes to be 13 again. When she opens her eyes, she finds herself back in the closet of the basement at her parents’ house in 1987. This is where the ‘fantasy’ aspect of the movie comes in. Who would really wish to be 13 again? Come on, Jenna! But, I gotta say, I would do anything to be able to wear a scrunchie in my hair again without being judged. So, I feel you on that one Jenna.

Our happy ending finally comes. Back to being that 13-year-old hiding in the closet, Jenna jumps on Matt when he enters the closet and kisses him. And she totally disses Tom Tom. which was sooooo great. The underdogs finally win. The movie fast forwards to Jenna and Matt’s wedding (I KNOW I’M SO HAPPY TOO!). And the most magical part is that the newly weds live in a house that is designed just like Jenna’s “dream house” doll house.

Ahhhh this movie just makes my heart happy and I promise it will do the same for you! Jennifer Garner does such an excellent job playing a 13-year-old trapped in a 30-year-olds body. This movie shows that we need to stop wishing to grow up so fast! Though they aren’t the best, we need to enjoy those teen years. We need to wear as much blue eye shadow as we possibly can and tease our hair as much as possible. Just embrace your youth! Enjoy being young. You grow up much quicker than you think, and that’s what this movie shows.

I could watch this movie just about every night, so I think you guys should give it a try. There’s also a killer “Thriller” dance scene that will make your night. If you guys get a chance to watch it, let me know! I wanna know your favorite part or favorite line! Hope you guys enjoy your movie night!