The Parent Trap

 

Thursday January 30

 

Dear viewers, 

 

            The Parent Trap was the pinnacle of its era, containing much intergenerational charm, love, sass, and romance with an outstanding cast that introduced Lindsay Lohan to fame. 

In this remake of the 1961 original produced by the iconic Nancy Meyers, who has produced many other famous films, two long lost twin sisters ( both played by Lohan) coincidentally meet in an eight week long summer camp. 

 The two were split up at birth by their parents Nick Parker ( Dennis Quaid) a vinter and British mother Elizabeth James ( Natasha Richardson) a fashion designer who enjoyed a quick fire, romance and marriage on the QE2. Instead of working out a custody deal they thought it would be best to each keep one twin, and never let them know of each other’s existence.

 The film suddenly jumps about 11 years later, where the twins

Don’t know anyone at their remote summer camp. We learned about Nick and Elizabeth’s marriage at the beginning of the film, but not to the point where we really have any idea what is going on so we can experience and learn the characters with the twins.

 Hallie and Annie took an instant dislike to one another and a sequence of naughty and unrealistic pranks arose. (One of which a 12 year old is somehow able to lift up all the furniture in a cabin and glue it to the roof). Consequently They ended up in the “isolation cabin” where they started to like each other and eventually realized they were twins. “ You've never seen your Mom, and I've never seen my Dad. You have one old picture of your Mom, I have one old picture of my Dad” this is one of the most important scenes/quotes in the entirety of the movie because it's where they find out that they are twins and decide to switch places. In an effort to reunite their family, they switched places. Soon enough their parents discover their ploy and the twins figure out how to get their  parents back together again. Their plans take on further importance once they find out that their dad has fallen in love with a gold digging, young, deceitful, and perfectly evil, Meredith Blake, (Elaine Hendrix) who is really the one keeping them from a happy ever after.  

 Richardson is so flexible and has the ability to play different emotions/scenes really well including a drunk scene, a frazzled

“I'm about to see my ex after 11 years” scene, and her loving finally seeing who she thought was Annie, her twin after 2 months at summer camp scene. And Quaid who sways through the scene with a sparkling smile. 

 Despite all of their appeal, do not use this movie as a guide on how to raise children. If you think about it, who would have a set of twins, then separate them and each parent take one and never inform them of each other or the other parent. 

 The excess of the film is a compilation of hilarious scenes, mischief, and unconditional love, that even the supporting characters wanted to get in on, the comedic nanny Chessy, and charismatic butler Martin, who ended up very happily engaged in the end.  As well as the mysterious and wise “Grandfather”. 

This was Lindsay Lohan first and arguably best movie, not to mention her playing roles one with an incredible British accent. 

It’s also surprising that she was cast for a double role considering the most well known young actors during that time period were two twelve year old twins. But Even though Ashley and Mary Kate Olson were very much loved, Lohan did such a wonderful job on her part. 

 

            Not to mention Nancy Meyers directing one of her first films, she keeps it a light watch. Even though it was designed to be a children’s film, it references some 80s pop culture moments and the fashion aspect of it still relates to current trends, so it's alluring to all ages. 

 Running at about an hour and a half, it keeps you and your family engaged the whole way through. I've watched it at least 20 times and it gets funnier, and better every time, so round up the family or the group, grab some popcorn and get ready for the best movie you’ve ever watched. 

Enjoy! 

Sincerely,

Luna