The Parent Trap (1998)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Nancy Meyers

Writers (WGA):

Erich Kästner (book)
David Swift (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

29 July 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Romance

Tagline:

Twice the Fun, Double the Trouble.

Plot:

Identical twins Hallie and Annie were separated at birth when their parents divorced. After the two meet at summer camp...

Plot Keywords:

Camping Trip | Grandfather Granddaughter Relationship | Ear Piercing | Vineyard | Reunion

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Lindsay Lohan	...	Hallie Parker / Annie James
Dennis Quaid	...	Nick Parker
Natasha Richardson	...	Elizabeth James
Elaine Hendrix	...	Meredith Blake
Lisa Ann Walter	...	Chessy - Parker's Housekeeper
Simon Kunz	...	Martin - James's Butler
Polly Holliday	...	Marva Kulp, Sr.
Maggie Wheeler	...	Marva Kulp, Jr.
Ronnie Stevens	...	Grandpa Charles James
Erin Mackey	...	Hallie / Annie Acting Double
Joanna Barnes	...	Vicki Blake - Meredith's Mother
Hallie Meyers-Shyer	...	Lindsay
Maggie Emma Thomas	...	Zoe
Courtney Woods	...	Nicole
Katerina Graham	...	Jackie

Also Known As:

Disney's The Parent Trap (USA) (complete title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some mild mischief.

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

UK:PG (cut) | Brazil:Livre | Iceland:L | South Korea:All | Philippines:G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:o.Al. (w) | Norway:A | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

The Meyers/Shyer Company

Trivia:

We learn that Camp Walden is in Maine from seeing the State Flag from Maine as it is going up in the morning and also when it comes down in the rain storm. Also in the scene where Hallie and friends are rigging Annie's room, you see them using vegetable oil from Hannaford Bros, and Great Lost Bear chocolate sauce. Both are local Maine brands.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Hallie confirms to her mother that she's not Annie, the mom's hand is on the bed. The picture cuts and her hand is now on Hallie's shoulder.

Quotes:

[Hallie is trying to convince Annie the proposed switch will work]
Hallie: Look, I can do you already.
[Hallie pulls her hair back and adopts a British accent]
Hallie: "Yes, you want to know the real difference between us? I have class and you don't." Come on, Anne. I gotta meet my ma.
[arranges her expression into a pout]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004)

Soundtrack:

In The Mood

A Delightful Family Film

There is only one movie in history that I can name that my wife, my mother and my six-year-old daughter enjoyed equally. This is it.

This is an astonishly effective and pleasant remake of a very good film. It's light, romantic, touching and downright funny. You cannot pour enough accolades on young Lindsay Lohan, who effortlessly plays both twins, and, if you listen closely, juggles four accents. (She changes her Brit accent when she plays her own American alter-ego pretending to be herself in England - if you saw the film, you know what I mean).

Natasha Richardson and Dennis Quaid with that big, goofy, infectious smile, give the film its romance and maturity, without stepping on the fun-filled kid's plot. This is simple, easy-to-watch family entertainment.

There is also a great editing and effects element. You never once notice a split screen or cheap over-the-shoulder shot when both of Lohan's characters are on-screen - its really quite astounding how seamless it is.

My daughter, after seeing this in the theater, quickly proclaimed this her favourite movie ever. We own the video, and I have watched it with her at least a dozen times without growing tired.

A perfect rental after a bad day, or when you want to have a family movie night. *** out of ****.