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A fashion writer reviews: '17 Again'
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Zac Efron (left) looks like Ed Hardy vomited on him and Thomas Lennon
just looks plain wrong in 17 Again.
Ever since the High School Musical franchise popped on to pop culture’s radar like an unwanted Facebook wall message, I have been trying to dodge the hypnotizing crystalline eyes of Zac Efron. It’s almost like staring Medusa into her eyes but instead of turning into stone, you turn into a squealing 10-year-old girl.
I actually made the mistake of looking at Efron directly in the eyes in 17 Again. I, unfortunately, was pulled into his orbit.
In this “unintentional” Big-in-reverse homage, Efron and Matthew Perry step into the shoes of Mike O’Donnell (Perry as the adult and Efron as the teen). O’Donnell was one of those “what could’ve been” guys from high school. He’s one of those dudes who was popular, peaked too early, knocked up his girlfriend and threw his chances for basketball scholarship out the window. Ultimately, it’s a story about a guy who did the right thing for a price.
As an adult, he has two kids that hate him and a wife (Leslie Mann) who is dying to divorce him. One night, O’Donnell the adult runs into some sort of janitor wizard/spirit guide and jumps into this fountain of youth vortex which makes him 17 again (hence the title). From there, he searches for the purpose of his age reversal. Of course, hilarity– or something like it – ensues.
Walking into a screening for this film was like walking into a Forever 21 without clothing racks. Tweens were dressed too old for their age and I was donning my Rag & Bone cardigan, plain blue shirt, jeans and my Jack Purcell Converse sneakers in attempt to look like a boyish teen. The tweens were dressed as if Zac Efron was there and as soon as he graced the screen with his man bangs (and shirtless), they screamed. I thought to myself, “Why does everyone worship this guy?” And the answer to that is: because he’s Zac Efron. People also give him a hard time because he is Zac Efron.
During the movie, I was actually trying not to like him. I was going out of my way not to laugh at his jokes and not to appreciate his role as a “thespian” – but I caved. I was entertained as if I were watching a teen movie from the late ‘90s. Sure, Efron is not on the road to an Oscar, but he’s not Keanu Reeves in Point Break either. He’s decent – and I say that with a slight amount of hesitation.
17 Again may have had that Disney sheen to it, but it’s tolerable – and some of that has to do with the charm from the leading man. It’s a good thing that Efron was surrounded by a gang of actors that made him look grounded and human because his charm could only get him so far. Leslie Mann is the ultimate sardonic suburban housewife that racks up cool points with each pitch perfect line, while the children (Michelle Trachtenberg and Sterling Knight) hold their own with an amusing amount of teen angst. Then there are the LOL antics of Thomas Lennon (who plays Mike’s BFF Ned – who’s wardrobe is an amusing hybrid of Flock of Seagulls, Boy George and Bret Michaels in his Poison days) and the high school principal played by Melora Hardin (from TV’s The Office). I would watch a movie about their Lord of the Rings romance any day.
This little sugar-coated juice box of a comedy will be one of those movies that you will claim to hate, but next year when it pops up on HBO, you won’t mind sitting through it. It’s sweet and fun. I give Efron two more years until we see him dirty it up Basketball Diaries style a la Leo. That’s when we’ll know if this homeboy is more than just a pretty face. But here's a word to the wise: don't look at Efron directly in the eyes. His charm will seduce you into the dark side.
Overall review: Watching this movie was like eating a Twinkie. It’s a sugary processed snack item that you know is really bad for you but you indulge anyway. After the 4th one you feel greasy and a tad bit disgusting – but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t do it again.
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