TSS_s09p180909.indd
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TSS_s09p180909.indd
DVD x SBA Friday, September 18, 2009 E09 ■ Text: Sam Fung ■ Photos: Deltamac (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd. Who says you’re only young once? You could wake up some day and find yourself 17 again... 17 Again A T the age of 17, back in 1989, Mike O’Donnell (Zac Efron) was on top of the world. He was the star of his high school basketball team and was heading straight for a college scholarship. By his side was girlfriend Scarlet (Leslie Mann), the woman of his dreams. A bright future seemed to be within his grasp. Yet fate soon stepped in to change it all. He found out that Scarlet was pregnant. Under pressure to fulfil his responsibilities, he decided to give up all his plans to settle down with Scarlet and their baby. Twenty years later, thirty-something Mike (Matthew Perry) is regretting the decision he made. Not only has his marriage to Scarlet fallen apart, he has been passed over for a promotion at work and his teenage kids find him a loser. He has to move in with his high school best friend Ned (Thomas Lennon), who has gone from being a teenage computer geek to a techno-billionaire. Mike’s dream of going back in time to relive his life has come true. But can he grasp this chance to rewrite his life? Or will he just make the same mistakes again? The movie was quite a challenge for High School Musical star Zac Efron, who plays lead character Mike O’Donnell. Efron, 21, found it a little intimidating playing the role, acting a role which was literally beyond his years. “I’ve played teenagers, but it was intriguing to think about playing a guy in his 30s. That’s an area I have no familiarity with. I can relate to playing a kid – I’ve had a first kiss, I’ve had awkward dates, I’ve had fights with my parents. But one thing I’ve never done is gotten into a fight with my teenage daughter,” he said. Miraculously, Mike is given a chance to turn back into his 17-year-old self. One morning he wakes up having regained his youthful appearance, much to his and Ned’s disbelief. He decides to use the opportunity to go back to his high school and live his teenage years all over again. As he looks forward to a return to his glory days, he gets a shock when he realises how much the world has changed since he was at school. Being a 21st century teen is nothing like being a teen twenty years ago. What makes him feel even stranger is that his teenage kids have now become his peers. Corner About the story Print fiction Print non-fiction Language focus Actors: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon Below are examples of how to comment on an actor’s/ actress’ performance. Director: Burr Steers “One of the things Matthew does so brilliantly is play the loveable, put-upon guy. That’s what we wanted: somebody who obviously felt all the pain and disappointment but who wasn’t too heavy-handed about it, someone who you could laugh with and be rooting for. Matthew balances that better than anyone else.” (Jennifer Gibgot, producer of 17 Again) Setting: 1989 to the present day, high school and family setting in the USA Plot: Mike O’Donnell was a big success in high school, but one decision turned his life upside down and he is now leading a life he least expected. He could have had a brighter future. Now, thirty-something Mike has the chance to travel back in time and rewrite his life. What will become of him? “Matthew has an instant likeability factor... that was key to the audience caring about this guy because, initially, Mike is just wallowing in self-pity.” (Burr Steers, director of 17 Again) The Student Standard is offering 3 readers 17 Again DVDs, courtesy of Deltamac (Hong Kong) Co Ltd. Question: Who plays the role of the thirty-something Mike? Send your answers to The Student Standard, 10/F Sing Tao News Corp Bldg, 3 Tung Wong Rd, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong or e-mail studentstandard@thestandard.com.hk (Please indicate your name, school name, class, mailing address and contact number.) Non-print fiction Non-print non-fiction Discussion 1. If you could go back in time and live your life a second time, would you live it in a different way? Why/why not? 2. What matters most in your life? 3. Imagine if all parents could be like Mike, travelling back in time and becoming friends with their children. Do you think this would help them understand their children better? 4. What food might come out of making a bad decision?