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 [email protected] (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?