Back when President Nixon was riding high, author Mary Rodgers considered what might happen if a rebellious teen girl suddenly switched bodies with her underappreciated mother. The result was the 1972 children’s novel “Freaky Friday,” which went on to serve as the basis for two theatrical films and a pair of made-for-TV movies.
The more recent of the former, the eponymous 2003 comedy, starred Jamie Lee Curtis as mom Tess Coleman and Lindsay Lohan as her daughter, Anna. More than two decades later, the duo reprise their roles while screenwriter Jordan Weiss raises the stakes with further complications in “Freakier Friday” (Disney). While not a knee-slapper, the sequel is at least mostly wholesome.
As Tess has continued her career as a therapist, musician Anna has become the manager of a successful pop singer and single mom to adolescent daughter Harper (Julia Butters). After Harper clashes with her classmate Lily (Sophia Hammons), Anna and Lily’s dad, Eric (Manny Jacinto), a chef, are summoned to the principal’s office — where they fall in love at first sight.
Six months later wedding bells are in the air but so is conflict. British-bred Lily longs to return to London while avid surfer Harper can’t imagine living anywhere but her native L.A.
Thus, as their parents try to decide where they’ll settle once they’re spliced, the girls’ mutual antagonism endures. Tess, meanwhile, proves over-eager in carrying out her duties as a grandmother, much to Anna’s annoyance.
The morning after Anna’s bachelorette party, the quartet awakes to discover that another swap has taken place. Anna and Harper have exchanged bodies. So too have Tess and Lily. Seizing the opportunity afforded them as adults, the kids resolve to wreck the nuptials.
Positive messages about family harmony underlie the ensuing high jinx since important life lessons will have to be learned before things can return to normal. Yet the comedy itself feels slapdash and ultimately garners few laughs.
Still, director Nisha Ganatra’s production mostly steers clear of problematic ingredients. It thus makes appropriate entertainment for a broad swath of viewers.
The film contains mature references, brief scatological humor, a couple of mild oaths and about a half-dozen crass terms. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
