User reviews

The teenager Annabel (Jodie Foster) has friction with her mother Mrs. Andrews (Barbara Harris) and her younger brother Ben. One Friday morning, the both wish to be the other for one day at the same time and their wishes come true and they swap bodies. Meanwhile, Mr. Andrews (John Astin), who is the PR of a company, is preparing a party to promote a real estate, and he counts on the support of his wife and daughter. Along the day, Annabel and Mrs. Andrews learn the problems of each other and understand the difficulties of the other.

The original "Freaky Friday" is a very funny Disney movie even thirty-six years after its release. Barbara Harris steals the film and together with the teenager Jodie Foster, they are responsible for hilarious situations. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Se Eu Fosse a Minha Mãe" ("If I Were My Mother")

The original 'Freaky Friday', the original switcheroo movie. A mom and daughter getting their bodies exchanged (on Friday the 13th) is rife with possibilities, but considering this is a Disney production, it's a commendable adaptation. It's hilarious from beginning to end, especially because of the two talented leads, Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster, who assume each other's characters with terrific ease. Supporting actors like Marc McClure (Boris), Sparky Marcus (Ben) and John Astin (Bill) are noteworthy too.

There are so many laugh-out-funny and memorable sequences in the film, from the sports scenes (baseball and hockey) to car chases to stunts (water-skiing), but my favourite scene is the one with the father's (Bill's) secretary - after listening to Annabel's comments, she keeps entering the office, making herself modest with each entrance; it's just unbearably rib-tickling.

"I wish I could switch places with her for just one day." - I wonder, how many people must have tried using this line.

Even one likes, be sure to check out the 2003' updated adaptation as well; it's as hilarious and intriguing.

It wasn't 100% perfect, but it did entertain me. I will say I also enjoyed the 2003 remake as it was fresh and funny. That said, this is definitely worth seeing. It does start off very briskly, but it loses its way just towards the end, and one or two of the gags were lacking. That said, the script does have its humorous and touching parts, the film is nice to watch visually with nice cinematography, scenery and costumes, the music was nice and upbeat and the premise intrigued me. The direction was also assured, but what made the film was the two sterling lead performances of Barbara Harris and especially Jodie Foster as the mother and daughter who swap bodies for a day. The supporting performances while not as effervescent were also effective. Overall, I liked it, it wasn't perfect, but there are certainly worse movies out there. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This movie, unlike the two so called remakes actually follows the book. My kids have all loved this movie and had no trouble at all relating to the incidents.Sure they have typing class instead of computer class but so what? So what if the Mom stays home and the Dad works. Many families do that today. The brother appears to be in half day kindergarten because he is picked up from school before lunch. Maybe Mom will go back to work next year. It may be a bit dated but that doesn't detract from the movie at all.

Unlike many modern movies the kids are not smart mouthed brats who get away with such behavior. There are no gross jokes or rude, stupid humor.

This is a fun movie for families, especially mothers and daughters to watch together. I would recommend this over the other two because it's how the author intended the story.

Never particularly loved this movie but it is lifted above the usual Disney fare by Jodie Foster, who was just totally incredible in this. You watch her and she nails the part - her performances in her movies are always better than great but to have been this good as a kid is kinda spooky, she delivers her lines so well. She is just about one of the finest actresses working in movies today along with Meryl Streep. It is so rare for a child to be as mature in performance as Jodie was. I guess the nearest child star in terms of performance is Haley Joel Osment. I have seen the remake with LL and JC but they just do not make such a good job of the parts as Jodie and Barbara (who seems to have disappeared from the movie scene-curse of the older actress).

If you changed personalities with your kid--actually found yourself in his or her body--would you spend the rest of the day in school? If you found yourself in your mother's body, would you bother cooking a meal for your husband's corporate buffet? Disney's "Freaky Friday", adapted by Mary Rodgers from her popular young adult novel, doesn't quite work; there's no awe in the circumstance involved--just lessons to be learned. Mom Barbara Harris earns points for daughter Jodie Foster at school, while Foster (in Harris' body) gets closer to the guy next door. Both leads are very good however, and Harris is wonderful calling her husband "Daddy" (with a quick switch to "Bill, Dear") and later playing a hot game of softball with a group of boys (while chewing bubblegum AND smoking a cigarette). Foster has some funny outbursts but generally has less to work with (she screws up a typing class, a photography class, band practice and field hockey, but does great in social studies). The movie is far too long, with inertia setting in right about the time Harris is called to the principal's office to discuss her daughter's schoolwork. The slapstick finale, a painful "Love Bug" flashback, is pure juvenalia (complete with a magic twist that makes no sense--not even in this movie's universe), yet the picture was a blockbuster anyway. **1/2 from ****

There are definitely parts of Freaky Friday that haven't aged well. Some moments are laughably dated whereas others are cringeworthy. However, this is still a fun family movie that keeps everyone entertained. Plus, it's the first body swap movie in history, so that deserves some respect, dangit!

While the remake with Curtis and Lohan was good and Hollywood smooth with better production values (so what), the main difference is in the lead actors. I mean you know Jodie Foster can act circles around Lindsay Lohan (who couldn't) but the main difference is in the moms. Jaime Lee Curtis is a savvy pro who has her own take on the role but it's pretty flat in comparison. Barbara Harris I didn't remember from her small roles in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Peggy Sue Got Married but now that my memory has been jogged, she did a fine job. This movie, though, is her tour-de-force. What a fantastic performance. She is flawless and incredibly funny in this role. As fine a comedic turn as anyone has ever done; the nuances of voice, the facial expressions, the slapstick - all spot on.

Jodie Foster is no slouch either. Her teenage roles have showed maturity beyond her years and a thorough understanding of her roles. She shines in this one. The supporting cast is well chosen and they're all good too.

I can see why they remade it, though. Todays kids don't usually get into old movies so with a box office cinch like Lohan, why not? I like a lot of the 60's and 70's movies since that is my generation and subsequently have trouble enjoying the 30's and 40's movies. But a good movie is a good movie no matter when it was made.

Okay watch, probably won't watch again, and can't recommend.

It was interesting to see a young Jodie Foster...

While I appreciate this popularizing (I'm still not convinced it birthed) a trope of "body swapping", it seems very uninspired: as if they said, "Wouldn't it be great if a kid and a parent swapped?" and then just stopped coming up with ideas. It was honestly very jarring on both swaps, the latter being honestly confusing (despite having addressed it directly).

The movie made me realize how difficult it would be to swap places and attempt to "be" that person without a shred of preparation. I'm sure that's a bad sign as I should be more entertained by the novelty or adversity of the situation, but no.

It's not that its a bad movie, there's a lot going on, a lot of it decent, but it's very dated. Even the action in it is a little awkward, but I certainly see why people in 1976 would have been impressed with this.

On the other hand, I don't imagine people were talking about it for very long. There is a lot of thought narration that occurs, which isn't very engaging, and most of the engaging humor is cheap physical humor of "what's going to go wrong this time" so you're not engaged very long and the impression doesn't hold.

The part of the movie that is actually rather good is the substance of teaching everyone to appreciate everyone else in the family, but we really took "walk a mile in his shoes" to an extreme here. There are more palatable ways to express the concept, and more movies that use this trope.

I honestly suggest the 2003 version over this one, it's just not very memorable.

It is no secret, that, back when we were grown ups, Disney made films that were as delightful as the next Sidney Lumet film. "Freaky Friday" is one of those many films. When young Annabelle Andrews, and her mother Ellen Andrews switch bodies on Friday the 13th, one heck of a journey is on the rise! This great tale of learning and growing up has been mocked, or copied twice, in vain. There are many reasons why this film should have only been seen the way the company originally produced it. First off, the message is quite easy to figure, and keeping it simple, but meaningful was the great way to spread it. The age-old story of two people walking a mile in each others shoes. A funny mother-daughter story that never gets old, this one has just as much a tender side as it does a comic side.

About the film, the script is fresh and original, producing interesting narration by a game Foster. What makes this one almost a word for word act of the novel is because the author of the novel also wrote the screenplay. Some times, when the author also helps with the script, the outcome is less than amusing, but in this case, it was the best thing they could do. Mary Rodgers delivers the goods with this one, and the rich element of comedy is never wasted. The situations are almost too much. The incidents are made in ways to which an adult can laugh as much as a child can. In fact, most of the funny moments reflect more adult humor, such as Mrs. Schmauss and the liquor. Other moments such as typewriters going crazy, and one of the most hysterical ski sequences ever seem to be too much for children in todays times. Ergo, they remade this film twice. Once in '95 that was slow and dull, despite a good director and good cameos. And recently in '03 with a forced script. The two latter versions were made with more simple jokes to appeal more for kids.

Such subject matter was also toned down. The situation with Annabelle and Ben. Why does Annabelle hate him so much? Because there is nothing more annoying than a perfect kid with no messy qualities. Later, same question, but answer goes as "his sister doesn't "hate" him. he bugs her". What is wrong with the normal sibling rivalry using the word 'hate'? The film also shows how much better times were back then. As thirteen year-old teens were taught to be a whiz on the typewriter, and speak very well of American history. Those times are just not here anymore, not much anyhow. IN any case, this film is a great joy of a film. Modern film-making at it's best, and of course, Disney made films good back then. Not like the senseless contrived mush we see today.

I saw the remake of Freaky Friday first before I ever saw this Freaky Friday, and you might hate me when I say, I didn't know until a year ago that it was a remake, not to mention that it starred an unknown little actress, Jodie Foster. But when I heard, I got excited and wanted to see it immediately since I loved the remake, but I could never find the original at the video store, but finally I came across it yesterday at Hollywood Video. I just watched it this morning and while I enjoyed it, I found the remake to be a little more entertaining, I'll explain in just a minute.

Ellen is a house maker and a mom who is constantly on the go and taken for granted, Annabelle is her sloppy disorganized daughter, and they just can't seem to understand each other. But when they are both talking about each other, they say the magic words "I wish she could just be in my shoes for one day", and their bodies switch! Now Ellen has to learn what it is like to be her tomboy sports loving daughter and Annabelle has to learn what a complicated life her mom has with chores, babysitting, cooking, and being in charge of the house with a husband who takes her for granted constantly.

Freaky Friday has some good humor and some light laughs here and there, but I think the reason why I enjoyed the remake with Jamie Lee Curtis a little better was because of the times. Today's world is constantly on the go, not to mention I think that kids are a little more rebellious, so the mom and daughter had more to learn from each other in that film. But I would never say shy away from this Freaky Friday because it is a classic and has some good laughs and a good ending.

6/10

All parts of this film were quite enjoyable, it is for the most part too dated to be worth a watch. It is the original body swapping film, so if you want to see where it all began, this is a good place to start. Jodie Foster does a great job portraying a typical teenage girl of 1976, you can see the charisma she would have in later classic performances. Barbara Harris though steals the show when she performs as a 13-year-old inhabiting the body of a typical housewife from 1976. In fact, this for me exemplifies one of the main features of a movie like this. That is to say, the adult actor or actress can have a much more enjoyable time portraying the Wild and frenetic energy of a teenager, whereas the child actor or actress must be far more restrained. It's also a surprise to see Gomez Adams as a straight man. That feels like a waste. Mentioned before that it's a dated movie, but I think it would have felt dated when it came out as well. They try to portray the slang of the time, but it's obvious the adult writers weren't talking to teenagers to hear what they actually sounded like, but they invented something in their minds that sounded appropriate. Which is a problem that has lasted up until this day. The movie is so enchanted by the idea of a body switch that the actual plot of the movie feels a little bit underwhelming. It's as if they are making a big deal about a bowl of soup being a little bit too hot. Not an enjoyable time for the most part.

This is definitely one of the very best of Disney's many comedies. Perhaps it's the great writing from Mary Rodgers, author of the book, or the spectacular acting from the entire cast, especially a young Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris.

The film is incredibly funny, without being stupid, and it feels very real and authentic, an element that is gone from almost every other Disney film of the era. Although it includes the typical Disney chase scene, the rest of Disney's usual cliches are dropped so that the focus is on the characters and the believable and hilarious situations that they get into.

A definite 10/10! Go rent it! Be sure that you get the 1977 version, though, not the 1995 remake.

Annabel Andrews (Jodie Foster) is a teen slob, field hockey jock, academically challenged, and fighting with her mother (Barbara Harris). They both think the other has it easy. They both wish to switch places for just one day at the same time and that's exactly what happens. They both struggle with their day culminating in Annabel water-skiing in the Aquacad for her PR executive father Bill (John Astin).

This classic Disney kids movie marks a transition year for child star Jodie Foster. It's the same year as Taxi Driver. She is great at transitioning from self-obsessed teen to a mature mom personality. Barbara Harris is little inconsistent. It doesn't help that a lot of the wife duties seem overly manufactured. Even as a kid, I thought the scene where she's overwhelmed by everybody at the house is too silly.

Adorable and charming live action Disney comedy with Barbara Harris stealing the show as the frazzled housewife who magically switches places with her daughter (Jodie Foster) for a day and they both realize how tough their lives can be. As great as Harris is, Foster was still coming into her own as an actress and she doesn't always convince once she's possessed by her mother. Ruth Buzzi and Kaye Ballard have fun cameos as two gym teachers. It's mindless, cute entertainment for the whole family.

This movie is so over the top ridiculous, especially the end scene with the police chase and the water skiing. It gets seven stars purely based on how casually ludicrous that chase scene is.

The world lost a terrific actress, Barbara Harris last year. This film and her performance displayed her natural talent and genius in the role of the mother who switches with her preteen daughter, Annabel, played by Jodie Foster. John Astin played the father and husband. The cast is first rate with Barbara Harris, John Astin, Jodie Foster and a supporting cast to die for. Sorrel Brooke, Marvin Kaplan, Patsy Kelly, Kay Ballard, Ruth Buzzi and more familiar faces in this Disney film. Jodie showed her acting genius as well in this performance alongside Barbara Harris, a dynamic actress in all medium. The film is a wholesome family comedy as Disney would come to be known for its wholesome entertainment. The film is about a mother and daughter switching bodies on Friday the 13th. It's a delightful comedy that doesn't go over the top.

"Freaky Friday" takes me back to the early 80s where most programs we'd watch on VHS (as kids) were Disney movies, animated and live-action. I was familiar with movies like "Love Bug" or "The Shaggy Dog" even before I discovered the Disney classics... I never had the opportunity to watch "Freaky Friday" but I remember it from a VHS Collection commercial at the end of an old VHS, and I never knew it was Jodie Foster in that still from the film.

Would I have enjoyed the film? Maybe at the age of 6 or 7 but I remember being a huge fan of "Like Father, Like Son" a film that borrowed from the same premise and that I can't say I have a fondness on, the film that was about a father and his son switching bodies came up with lame jokes and over-the-top performances from Dudley Moore and Kirk Cameron who exaggerated the flaws of their characters... the best compliment that can be said about "Freaky Friday" is that the performances of Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris do justice to the film and both are equally enjoyable to watch.

It's amazing that a young Jodie Foster could be able to pull so many great performances in the same year, "Freaky Friday", "Bugsy Malone" and of course "Taxi Driver" and if anything the film proves that she was a true prodigy, the film manages to capture through her bored voice-over the angst of a misunderstood teenage girl while Barbara Harris never fails to pull a good amount of likability in her role as a busy mother, patronized by her husband, played by Sean Austin.

The concept is simple, both mother and daughter envy each other's advantages and it takes one body switching to realize that perks can be burdens in disguise. Once it happens and their behavior take a 180° turn much to the bewilderment or dismay of their own circle, hilarity ensues with gags mostly succeeding to grab a few chuckles... I'm glad the film didn't exaggerate the harm caused by one to the other's image and that the film provided some little quiet and eye-opening moments.

I was less sure about the action-sequences that dated the film even more than the 70s look but that was inevitable in comedies back then. Another flaw was pinpointed by Roger Ebert, which was in the casting, Jodie Foster was so mature for her age and Barbara Harris so childlike at times that the experience could be a little confusing, and the little twist where bodies are literally switched lost me... but who cares? It was all wrapped up in a meaningful and funny finale twist...

... overall an enjoyable experience.

Long years ago, Walt Disney Studios took a tremendous talent in Haley Mills and a sugar sweet story and came up with sheer enchantment in Pollyanna. I wish I could say the same about Freaky Friday. The talent is there , just as tremendous in Jody Foster, but it is difficult to know which audience this film is directed. The idea is a cute one; a tomboy teenager and her mother switch personalities. That's all right if the show had got its focus on the kiddie audience and played it for laughs. But there are some grimmer undertones that are an uneasy accompaniment and a family situation that can't be resolved by instant Tinker Bell from the Disney Studios. While man into dog has made for a healthy programmer from Disney, Freaky Friday is not a vehicle to be rescued by slapstick, or the very considerable charm of Foster and Barbara Harris.

Freaky Friday brings us to the home of John Astin and Barbara Harris with their children Jodie Foster and Sparky Marcus. Harris and Foster are constantly fighting, Foster is going through teen angst saying Mom doesn't understand her, Harris's life is not being made easy by having her first child going through the teen years.

But on a fateful day where legend has it strange things do occur, one morning as the family is starting their day, the souls of Harris and Foster exchange bodies. After a lot of yelling and screaming the two decide to live each other's day as their new outward appearance dictates.

The responsibilities of adulthood thrown on Foster's shoulders just overwhelm her. As for Harris it's not easy being a teen. It all adds up to some pretty funny moments. Best being Foster/Harris making a botch of a field hockey match and Harris/Foster on water skis.

I've always liked the way the Disney Studio always gave a lot of old time players the character roles that they used to get in the old days. In particular here is Patsy Kelly in one of her last appearances as a maid who liked a cocktail every now and then.

Freaky Friday proved to be one of the Magic Kingdom's most popular products. The recent remake with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis was as fresh as the original, though that one offered some kind of explanation for the strange occurrence.

This version just let the magic speak for itself.

I loved this film from the start. The whole idea of something like this happening appeals to me....sort of like time traveling. The ending was a riot of car chases, crashes, farout water skiing, and daredevil hang gliding. Corny I'll admit, but slapstick does it for me every time.

This is a bright and breezy Disney comedy that works because of the performances by Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris. Teenage Annabel Andrews (Foster) switches bodies with her mother Ellen (Harris) on Friday the 13th.

Annabel realises that managing a home is not easy with cooking, cleaning, managing various workmen, doing various chores. Ellen finds out that being a high school kid is no fun. She messes up at the typewriter class, causes chaos at the photography darkroom and the hockey game leaves her bruised.

It is a case of understanding each other's lives. Foster does well as the grown up mom inhibits her body, likewise with Harris playing the teenager all at sea at being domesticated.

It is all amiable and easygoing which the kids would like then the film steps up a gear with a crazy finish as Annabel gets involved in a batty police chase through the city and Ellen gets involved in a barmy ski sequence.

Some of the roles might be too conservative for today's tastes. The mother being the dutiful housewife for example but this was Disney of the 1970s.