17 Again Information

17 Again is a 2009 American comedy film directed by Burr Steers. It is the story of 37-year-old Mike (Matthew Perry) who becomes a 17-year-old high school student after a chance accident. The film was released in the United States on April 17, 2009.

Plot

In 1989, 17 year-old Mike O'Donnell (Zac Efron) learns from his girlfriend Scarlet Porter (Allison Miller) that she is pregnant during the start of his high school championship basketball game. Moments after the game begins, he leaves the game and goes after Scarlet, abandoning his hopes of playing college and professional basketball.

In 2009, Mike (Matthew Perry), now a 37 year-old, finds his life stalled. Scarlet (Leslie Mann) has separated from him due to his regrets about abandoning college, forcing him to move in with his geeky and wealthy best friend since high school, Ned Gold (Thomas Lennon). At his job, we see another reason for his frustration: due to his lack of higher education and since he is significantly older than most of his co-workers and he is passed over for a promotion he deserves in favor of a much younger female worker. He gets fired from his job (after smashing his boss's bluetooth earpiece against the wall) and his high school-age children, Maggie (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Alex (Sterling Knight) want nothing to do with him. Later, while visiting his high school to reminisce, an encounter with a mysterious janitor (Brian Doyle-Murray) transforms Mike into his 17 year-old self.

Given the chance to re-live his youth, Mike enrolls in high school posing as Mark Gold, Ned's son, and plans to go to college with a basketball scholarship. As he befriends his children, however, Mike comes to believe that his mission is to help them. Mike comforts Maggie when her boyfriend Stan (Hunter Parrish), the captain of the basketball team, dumps her. With his help, Alex overcomes Stan's bullying to obtain a place with Mike on the basketball team and the girlfriend he desires.

Through their children Mike spends time with Scarlet, who is attracted to his remarkable resemblance to her husband in high school. Mike has difficulty resisting his desire for her despite the relationship's apparent inappropriateness. At the same time, he must fend off Maggie's amorous advances (she being completely unaware that he is her father). Meanwhile, Ned courts Jane Masterson (Melora Hardin), the high school principal who shares a mutual interest in The Lord of the Rings.

Mike soon realizes that Scarlet is the "best decision" he had ever made and finally realizes that his own selfishness has driven his family away. He tries to re-unite with her and unsuccessfully explains to her that he is actually Mike, her husband. On the day of the court hearing to finalize Scarlet and Mike's divorce, Mike makes one last attempt to win her back (as Mark) by reading a supposed letter from Mike. He states that although he couldn't set things right in the beginning of his life, it doesn't extinguish the fact that he still loves her. After he exits, Scarlet notices that the "letter" is actually the directions to the courtroom and she begins to grow curious. As a result, she postpones the divorce. During a high school basketball game, Mike reveals himself to Scarlet. As Scarlet once again runs away down the hall, Mike decides to chase her down once more, but not before handing the ball off to his son. Mike is then transformed back into his 37 year-old self and is reunited with Scarlet. Meanwhile, Ned and Jane begin dating and Mike is hired as the high school's new basketball coach.

Cast

• Zac Efron as Mike O'Donnell (17 years old)/Mark Gold
• Matthew Perry as Mike O'Donnell (37 years old)
• Thomas Lennon as Ned Gold (37 years old)
• Sterling Knight as Alex O'Donnell
• Leslie Mann as Scarlet O'Donnell (37 years old)
• Michelle Trachtenberg as Margaret "Maggie" Sarah O'Donnell
• Hunter Parrish as Stan
• Katerina Graham as Jamie
• Melora Hardin as Principal Jane Masterson
• Jim Gaffigan as Coach Murphy
• Drew Sidora as Cameron
• Tiya Sircar as Samantha
• Vanessa Lee Chester as Karla
• Nicole Sullivan as Naomi
• Adam Gregory as Dom
• Brian Doyle-Murray as The Janitor
• Margaret Cho as Health Teacher
• Allison Miller as Scarlet Porter (17 years old)
• Tyler Steelman as Ned Gold (17 years old)
• Josie Loren as Nicole
• Melissa Ordway as Lauren

Reception

Critical response

The film received mixed reviews. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 55% based on reviews from 141 critics. The site's consensus is that "though it uses a well-worn formula, 17 Again has just enough Zac Efron charm to result in a harmless, pleasurable teen comedy." On Metacritic it received a score of 48 out of 100 based on 27 critic reviews. Roger Ebert gives the film 3 stars out of 4.

Box office

The film was predicted to take in around $20 million in its opening weekend. Opening in 3,255 theaters in the United States and Canada, the film grossed $23,722,310 million ranking #1 at the box office, with 70% of the audience consisting of young females. By the end of its run, 17 Again grossed $64,167,069 in North America and $72,100,407 internationally, totaling $136,267,476 worldwide.

Soundtrack

17 Again: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on April 21, 2009 by New Line Records.

Track listing

1. "On My Own" by Vincent and The Villains
2. "Can't Say No" by The Helio Sequence
3. "L.E.S. Artistes" by Santigold
4. "Naïve" by The Kooks
5. "This Is Love" by Toby Lightman
6. "You Really Wake Up the Love in Me" by The Duke Spirit
7. "The Greatest" by Cat Power
8. "Rich Girls" by The Virgins
9. "This Is for Real" by Motion City Soundtrack
10. "Drop" by Ying Yang Twins
11. "Cherish" by Kool & The Gang
12. "Bust a Move" by Young MC
13. "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins

Additional music credits

• "Kid" by The Pretenders
• "Nookie" by Limp Bizkit
• "The Underdog" by Spoon
• "High School Never Ends" by Bowling for Soup
• "Push It Fergasonic (DJ Axel Mashup)" by Fergie, Salt-n-Pepa, JJ Fad

The orchestral score was written by Rolfe Kent and orchestrated by Tony Blondal. It was recorded at Skywalker Sound