Throng

Saturday 2 August, 7.30pm

13 Going On 30 starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, is a delightful romantic comedy that asks the question, “What do you do when your greatest wish comes true and it’s nothing at all like you imagined?” In Jenna Rink’s case the answer is: you have to grow up — and fast!

It is 1987 and Jenna Rink is 13, suffocated by her dorky parents and ignored by the hip kids in school. When her birthday party turns out to be a disaster, Jenna makes a wish: if only she could be grown up, she'd have the life she's always wanted. The next day, when Jenna emerges from the closet, it is 2004; she's a gorgeous, successful 30-year-old (Jennifer Garner, Alias) with a great job and a fabulous apartment.
Bewildered, Jenna gradually takes to her new life, but soon realises something's missing; her former best friend, Matt. When she looks him up, she's horrified to discover that she and Matt (Mark Ruffalo, Just Like Heaven) are no longer in contact and he's engaged to be married. Jenna learns that having it all is not enough. Now her biggest wish is that it's not too late.

Garner's research for the role of Jenna included hanging out with 13-year-olds and trying to remember what was special — and not so special — about that age. "Luckily, I have this really good friend who was 12 at the time," says Garner. "Every now and then she reacts to a situation like an adolescent and reminds me that she's everything at once — a grown-up child. A kid of 13 can seem like an adult, but that can be deceptive. You always have to remember they are also incredibly vulnerable, skittish and childlike. Finding that balance was challenging."

Another aspect of the character Garner researched was how 13-year-olds relate to one another. For this she turned to the producers, 'borrowing' their teen daughters for a sleepover. "They invited some of their friends over and we all spent the night together. I stayed up as late as I could, which I have to admit wasn't very late. I did try to rouse myself around 4am because I knew some really good stuff had to be going on. I dragged myself into the kitchen where they were all talking. I tried with all my might to pay attention and stay awake. Oh, to really be 13 again," she laughs.

In the movie, Jenna Rink gets to skip the challenges of adolescence and find herself already grown up enjoying the fruits of adulthood. During the rehearsal period, the 13 Going On 30 acting ensemble bonded, sharing their own personal stories about the agonies and joys of growing up. "We all remembered how terrified we were of all that lay ahead for us," says Garner.

The cast members also confessed some of their own wishes and dreams as teenagers. "I was in a very awkward stage for a long time," says Garner. "I played in the marching band. I didn't wear cool clothes ever and I wore huge glasses. I just wanted to grow up and be able to put one foot in front of the other and carry on a proper conversation. Oh, and to wear contact lenses," she laughs. "I really wanted contacts."

Don't miss the Saturday Blockbuster 13 Going On 30, tonight at 7.30pm on TV2.