17 Again (film)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
17 Again is a {(2009) comedy film from New Line Cinema directed by Burr Steers. The movie was released in the United States on April 17, 2009. It is scheduled for DVD and Blu-ray release on August 11, 2009.
Plot
In 1989, Mike O'Donnell (Zac Efron) was a star athlete with a full college scholarship imminent. He seemingly had it all, when, right before the championship game, his girlfriend Scarlet (Allison Miller) informed him she was pregnant. In that moment, he made the decision to throw everything away (including basketball and a chance at a scholarship) and proposed to her.
About twenty years later, Mike's (Matthew Perry) life has come to a standstill. Scarlet Porter (Leslie Mann) has separated from him, forcing him to move in with his geeky, but millionaire, best friend Ned Gold (Thomas Lennon), his job is going nowhere, and his kids Maggie (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Alex (Sterling Knight) want nothing to do with him. While paying a visit to Hayden High School to reminisce about the life he threw away, he encounters the mysterious janitor (Brian Doyle-Murray). On the way home, is magically transformed back into his 17-year old self.
With Ned posing as his father, he re-enrolls in high school, believing he has been given the chance to live his life over again, "but to do it right". However, he then discovers that his daughter is dating the basketball captain Stan (Hunter Parrish), who is bullying his son. He realizes that his real mission is to help his children and makes friends with Alex. With Mike's (using the name "Mark Gold") help, Alex gets a place on the basketball team and the girlfriend he desires. Mike also comforts Maggie when she is dumped by Stan, who was pressuring her for sex. Meanwhile, he assists Scarlet in decorating her garden, gaining a new appreciation for her.
Meanwhile, Ned is smitten with the high school principal, Jane Masterson (Melora Hardin). Although his initial attempts to 'peacock' her fail, they soon bond over a love of Lord of the Rings. However, when taking her back to his house, they discover an out-of-control party raging there. To celebrate Alex scoring the winning basket in a game, "Mark" is throwing a victory party. When Scarlet appears looking for Alex, Mike's feelings for her are reawakened, and he goes to kiss her. She is appalled, and slaps him. His action is witnessed by Maggie and her friends, who are all disgusted, especially since Maggie became smitten with "Mark".
The next morning, Ned reminds Mike that it is the date of his divorce hearing with Scarlet. He shows up as Mark to read a letter from Mike O'Donnell, the contents of which touches her. However, upon seeing the "letter" (which is really just a piece of paper with directions on it), she realizes that Mark had been reciting from memory. Later, at the championship game, Mike makes a gesture which she recognizes as his. Realizing that she is in the same situation as twenty years earlier, she flees the scene. Mike follows, handing the ball to Alex, who goes on to make the winning shot. The janitor catches sight of Mike and changes him back into his adult self, and Mike and Scarlet reunite.
In the end, Mike is happily reconciled with his family, now the coach of the high school basketball team. Ned, too, is happy, having had makeup sex with Principal Masterson.
Cast
- Matthew Perry as Mike O'Donnell (37 years old)
- Zac Efron as Mike O'Donnell/"Mark Gold" (17 years old)
- Leslie Mann as Scarlet O'Donnell
- Allison Miller as Scarlet (17 years old)
- Michelle Trachtenberg as Margaret "Maggie" Sarah O'Donnell
- Hunter Parrish as Stan (Maggie's boyfriend)
- Sterling Knight as Alex O'Donnell
- Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold
- Tyler Steelman as Ned (17 years old)
- Melora Hardin as Principal Jane Masterson
