The Parent Trap (1998)

Cast: Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, Lindsay Lohan, Elaine Hendrix, Lisa Ann Walter and Simon Kunz.

Director: Nancy Meyers

Release Date: 1998

Running Time: 2hrs 8 minutes

Genre: Family

Rating: PG

Format: DVD

Synopsis:

Twins Hallie and Annie are separated after their parents divorce, one living with their mother and the other with their father, they later discover at summer Camp that they are sisters and do everything they can to reunite their parents once more! 

Vintner Nick Parker and dressmaker Elizabeth James (Richardson) both decide to send their
daughters to the same summer camp, Camp Selley. Annie and Hallie (Lohan) however don't hit things off to a good start. Competing with each other in a game of poker which soon turns into an ongoing prank war when finally they are caught and forced to live together in the isolation cabin. However as time passes the two become friends and accidently learn that they are twins. The two decide that the only way they can live together is to reunite their parents. The adventure that unfolds around them is absolutely terrific.

Nancy Meyers directorial debut. Meyers also wrote the charming screenplay, although based on the original film from 1961, a few things have been changed to give it a nice modern twist. Child star Lindsay Lohan's film debut. Lohan stars as Hallie and Annie, excellently filmed in split screen to give the appearance that Lohan is a twin. Although it sounds very complex from a filmmaker's perspective, it's a brilliant effect that has been used for years in the film industry. Lohan is fantastic at showing two different personality's, although her British accent isn't authentic, for a child actor she did a magnificent job.

Beautifully written by Director Nancy Meyers, who also wrote the screenplay for the terrific romcom "Father of the Bride", the storyline has the perfect balance of comedy, romance and drama. Appealing to all age groups. Dennis Quaid stars as their father Nick Parker, a wealthy man who owns his own vineyard and produces a tremendous amount of wine. Nick however finds himself in the arms of snobby rich girl Meredith Blake (Hendrix), very much like the original movie, Meredith (nicknamed Cruella De Ville) by Hallie and Annie, decides very early on that she doesn't want either of them in her life once she marries their father. Both girls, however make up for her shocking behaviour by unleashing a few tricks on her, one including pushing her tent out into the middle of the lake.

The idea to have Hallie and Annie from two different countries was a fantastic idea. Seeing the difference in cultures between both of them as they attend summer camp. Beautifully shot in London and California, it shows both characters in two different lights, watching their excitement as they both travel to a part of the world they've never been to. Immediately seeing the difference between both countries. The use of a contemporary soundtrack adds to the theme of the film brilliantly and emphasises on it's modern take of an old story. Wonderfully charming, a film that is great for family's, one that may just bring a tear to your eye!

5/5 stars