17 Again (film)

17 Again
Theatrical poster
Directed by	Burr Steers
Produced by	Adam Shankman Jennifer Gibgot
Written by	Jason Filardi Keenan Donahue
Starring	Matthew Perry Zac Efron Leslie Mann Thomas Lennon Sterling Knight Michelle Trachtenberg
Music by	Rolfe Kent
Cinematography	Tim Suhrstedt
Editing by	Padraic McKinley
Studio	Offspring Entertainment
Distributed by	New Line Cinema
Release date(s)	Australia April 9, 2009 United States April 17, 2009
Running time	102 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$20,000,000 (est.)[1]
Gross revenue	$126 Million[2]

17 Again is a 2009 comedy film from New Line Cinema starring Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Sterling Knight, and directed by Burr Steers. The movie was released into the United States on April 17, 2009. It is scheduled for DVD and Blu-ray release on Aug 11, 2009.^[3]

Plot

In 1989, Michael O'Donnell was a star athlete with a full college scholarship imminent. He seemingly had it all, when, right before the championship game, his girlfriend Scarlet 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.

Twenty years later, Mike's life has come to a standstill. Scarlet has separated from him, forcing him to move in with his geeky, but millionaire, best friend Ned Gold, his job is going nowhere, and his kids Maggie and Alex 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. 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, 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. 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 mended his relationship with Principal Masterson.

Cast

• Matthew Perry as Mike O'Donnell (37 years old)
• Zac Efron as Michael "Mark" O'Donnell (17 years old)
• Leslie Mann as Scarlet O'Donnell
• Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold
• Michelle Trachtenberg as Margaret "Maggie" Sarah O'Donnell
• Sterling Knight as Alex O'Donnell
• Hunter Parrish as Stan (Maggie's boyfriend)
• Melora Hardin as Principal Jane Masterson
• Tyler Steelman as Ned (17 years old)
• Allison Miller as Scarlet (17 years old)

Soundtrack

17 Again: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on April 21, 2009.^[4]

1. "On My Own" by Vincent Vincent and The Villains
2. "Can't Say No" by The Helio Sequence
3. "L.E.S. Artistes" by Santogold
4. "Naive" by The Kooks
5. "This is Love" by Toby Lightman
6. "You Really Wake Up the Love in Me" by The Duke Spirit
7. "The Greatest" by Cat Power
8. "Rich Girls" by The Virgins
9. "This is for Real" by Motion City Soundtrack
10. "Drop" by Ying Yang Twins
11. "Cherish" by Kool & The Gang
12. "Bust a Move" by Young MC
13. "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins (from Top Gun)

Reception

17 Again was a commercial success, having an over five to one return on the estimated production cost, based on the current estimated revenue. The film grossed $9,465,000 domestically on its first day of release and ended its opening weekend at #1, with a total of $23.7 million.^[2] Critically, on the other hand, it has not been as much of a success as reviews have been favorable to mixed. As of April 21, review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes has tabulated a 57% positive response for the film based on 107 professional reviews.^[5] The other major review aggregator, Metacritic, has given the film a 48% based on 27 professional reviews, which puts it in the "mixed or average reviews" category.^[6]

References

External links

• Official website
• 17 Again at the Internet Movie Database
• 17 Again at Rotten Tomatoes
• 17 Again at Box Office Mojo
• 17 Again at Allmovie

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