Do you remember the eighties? There was the music, the hair, and the clothing. This movie takes us back to that time.

Thirteen-year-old Jenna Rink wants to be something is not – popular and thirty.
She is having a birthday party and wants the popular kids to attend, including her crush Chris Grandy. Unfortunately, they claim they are unable to attend because they have to complete their school reports. Jenna volunteers to do it, and problem solved.

Her best friend Mattie is a sweet guy who tolerates her love for the popular kids. He gives her valuable advice; too bad her loyalties lie elsewhere. He surprises her with a doll house that he made. However, when the popular kids arrive, she places it in the closet, and mistreats Mattie. Apparently, she does not deserve him as her friend.

As the party progresses, she goes into the closet expecting to play “Seven Minutes in Heaven,” with Chris. However, she is tricked. No one comes into the closet, but Mattie. She doesn’t want to speak to Mattie, so she locks herself in the closet, chanting to herself.

Suddenly, Jenna (Jennifer Garner) is propelled unknowingly into the future. She wakes up confused in a house she doesn’t recognize, and in a foreign time period. She isn’t familiar with technology, such as the cell phone. When it rings, she is perplexed about the sound and where it coming from.

She has a boyfriend – a famous hockey player. She doesn’t realize he is her boyfriend until someone tells her. Her friend Lucy, the popular girl from the past is in her life. She is still rude as ever. Jenna also has a fabulous job, and a boss who believes in her.

She also comes in contact with Mattie (Mark Ruffalo). He is still this great guy. However, when she tries to tell him what happened to her, he is in disbelief. Overall, it doesn’t matter. He is a nice guy who is willing to listen, and helps her find her way home.

The story continues to unfold as the company that she works for throws a party. It can bring the company success in the business market if received well. Her boss is panicking, with what he sees. So Jenna takes matters into her own hands.

As an adult Jenna had the popular friend, boyfriend, and career, but having everything isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Jennifer Garner does an excellent job portraying a woman who is still thirteen mentally and has to grow up to exist in the present. Her interactions with Matt throughout the film are paramount because it teaches her and the audience what really matters in life.

I truly love this movie. It is enjoyable to watch with friends, by yourself, or with a date. There is also a lesson for younger ones. So if you want to watch a movie that has meaning and entertainment, look no further. Thirteen Going on Thirty has it all.

I was not paid to endorse this movie in any way. I borrowed it from my local library. The views and opinions that are expressed are my own.