The Parent Trap (1998)

The Parent Trap (1998)

7/10

Starring

Lindsay Lohan

Dennis Quaid

Natasha Richardson

Directed by Nancy Meyers

The Parent Trap is a joyful film and one of my guilt pleasure because of the cuteness of Lindsay Lohan in the movie. Her presence in this film will be felt all thorough, as she owned every scene with her in it. Lindsay Lohan was the soul of the movie, and this performance with the one of Freaky Friday (2003) where her best and most memorable.
Her portrayal of two different characters is one to be cheered. I recall seeing this movie way back in 1998 I could arguable say then, I was watching two different people all because Lindsay Lohan was amazing. That said, she is no Hayley Mills, who did the same thing in the 1961 version. She in her paying of dual roles set a standard and placed the bar way to high for this amazing performance by Lohan to reach.

The movie is all fun with references made in songs and speech to the 1961 Disney's original version. The late Natasha Richardson was great in this movie as the girl’s mother, and I will be looking back at this movie in remembrance of her.

This 1996 Romcom was directed by Nancy Meyers who also produced and wrote one of my favorite comedies Father of the Bride (1991) and its sequel in 1995.

The movie follows the story of a couple Nick (Dennis Quaid) and Elizabeth (Natasha Richardson) who decided to divorce after having twin girls. The arrangement they had was each party will keep one girl as they go their separate ways, Nick to California, USA and Elizabeth to London, England.

Ironically and unknown to both parent, they send their daughters to the same all girls camp, where the girls Annie and Hallie (Lindsay Lohan) met. The girls spent enough time with each other and discovered that they are sisters and decided to switch places, and do what they can to get their family back together.

Shot in both London and San Francisco with a budget of $15.5 million, the movie was a financial success making over $92 million in the box office. The film won Lohan a Young Artist Award for best performance in a feature film.

Here is a fun fact Joanna Barnes who plays Meredith Blake's mother, played the role of Vicki Robinson who is the Meredith of the 1961 original. The movie also made references to 101 Dalmatians (1961 animation) calling Meredith Cruella de Vil.

Here is the second Walt Disney adaptation of Erich Kästner's German novel Lottie and Lisa (Das doppelte Lottchen). The movie is very similar to its predecessor, but the actors found a way to make it their own. This movie is more than 80% similar to its predecessor whose screenplay was written by David Swift.

Here is a movie to see and enjoy with your family.