WHY ‘FREAKIER FRIDAY’ AND ITS NOSTALGIC JOY MATTERS
When it comes to millennial movie joy, today is a good day. The reason for this is because the wide streaming release of Freakier Friday has arrived. From its summer theater run (which prompted me to head to theaters for the first time in two years) to its wide exclusive streaming debut, the film is one worth celebrating on repeat. Inspired by this release, we’re here to put together a little list to celebrate Freakier Friday (and why it matters) as it drops on streaming, and yes, there will probably be repeat carryover thoughts from the nonsensical review we shared. So here we go.
LIST | THE BEST AND SILLIEST MOMENTS FROM THE WEEKEND CHRISTMAS MOVIES
WHY ‘FREAKIER FRIDAY’ AND ITS NOSTALGIC JOY MATTERS. Talking about the charm of #FreakierFriday and why it matters to pop culture. #DisneyPlus #Disney #LindsayLohan Share on XA sequel to the delightful 2003 film where Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis play mother and daughter, this film isn’t but it still shines. After their unexpected teaching experience, it’s been many years now and Lohan’s Anna is busy raising a daughter of her own in a single household where her mother Tess is a little too involved. Everything changes when Anna meets a cute guy who is also raising a daughter. This inspires even more conflict and chaos in the lives of these women.
That’s a little about the film as a story, but let’s take a closer look at why this one is so charming and wonderfully nostalgic, too!
FREAKIER FRIDAY and WHY IT MATTERS
THE return CAST
The fact that all of the main and to an extent supporting cast returns for cameo roles is fantastic. To most new moviegoers this won’t mean anything but in no way does this hinder the enjoyment of anyone. What this does prove is that even with a new director and writer, they approach this project with a deep understanding of their audience and bringing back the core cast proves this.
I loved seeing Lindsay and Jamie reinhabit these roles, and while I think they play their walk-in-another’s-shoes way better than the newcomers (both here and in the 2003 film), I do think the entire cast is fab. It’s also great fun to see the men, which includes Mark Harmon and Chad Michael Murrey (no matter how limiting), return, too.
THE FAMILY
Many films tells stories about families and messiness of them. This is true. I don’t think Freaky Friday is any more special than anything else you can watch with these themes. Nonetheless, the familial bones of the story and the surprisingly touching moments of motherhood shouldn’t be discounted.
THE silly HUMOR
In a world of movies that are intellectual or terribly sad, movies like Freakier Friday matter because we all need to be reminded that it’s okay to watch a movie for no other reason than to laugh. While I think this film does have other things to recommend it, I’m also comfortable if I were to say there is nothing but its humor going for it. I think moviegoers have become so caught up in “needing” something to be intelligent or to be different that we brush aside or discount the movies that have one goal, which is to make us giggle.
Let me tell you, these films aren’t to be dismissed. They play, and deserve to have an important role in the cinematic world, too. So major points to this film for another reason on why something like this matters.
THE MUSIC
Perhaps less of an impact, the fact that this film brings back the one-hit-wonder Pink Slip song is well, kind of iconic. freakier friday why it matters
THE NOSTALGIA
Ok, so I already said this, but the writers and director, who are new to this story, are to be commended for the nostalgia they pack into this. What I respect so much about them is that they understand who would be most excited for this film. They know that pulling in the people who grew up on this film is important and though the film stands by itself (in a way that makes no one feel “left out”), the throwbacks are nice. Sure, some of the “jokes” don’t mean as much to newbies, but the film is 100% still a wonderful watch, even with the repeated plot lines.
Freakier Friday proves that there is a cinematic market for good fun; I’m not sure if the numbers reflect why it matters to see stories like this, but as a viewer, this is a win. It’s important for and to cinema and storytelling. This is especially true as we go into a creepy and uncertain phase of what storytelling will look like. It matters that storytellers understand there is a market for silly stories. There is a desire for stories that have no agenda other than to entertain.
Now, the audience must hope they embrace this.
Stream, at publication, exclusively with Disney+ or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video. You can also purchase the film on DVD.
Photos: Alamy
Have you seen Freakier Friday yet? Do you have reasons why it matters? Do you think it even does in the cinematic pop culture world? What are your thoughts on this 20+ years later sequel? Comment all of your thoughts below!
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Sometimes silly humor is needed. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely! :)
You nailed it with this post, Rissi! I enjoyed this sequel to Freaky Friday. It was fun seeing all of the original cast come back, and all the crazy angst & humor was awesome! It’s not always easy to produce a good sequel, but this one was well done! I agree with you that it matters that storytellers understand there is a market for silly stories. I like to be entertained, not watch shows that are pushing an agenda. In this crazy world we live in, it’s so nice and refreshing to watch shows that are good, clean fun. I hope that the industry will produce more movies like this!
You said this all so well, Alison. Yes. The world is crazy and so producing films like this is needed and I hope storytellers, even as we go into this kind of “futuristic” storytelling territory, realize that funny and entertaining with no other purpose does still have a place. I see so many people (on social media) call movies “stupid” presumably because they aren’t “intelligent” which is fine (we all like different things) but at the same time I think it’s ok to enjoy something even if it’s not the cleverest or shiny thing out there. ;)