Parent Trap

Essay by PaperNerd ContributorCollege, Undergraduate November 2001

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The Parent Trap The Parent Trap is a remake of the Walt Disney's 1961 classic. The movie is about twins that are separated at birth. When their parents divorce they decide to split everything down the middle, including the kids. The girls reunite at camp where they both are sent during the summer eleven years later. After finding out that they are twins, the girls come up with a brilliant idea to switch places in order to meet the parents they never knew. When the time is right, they will reveal their true identities, forcing the parents to reunite and switch them back.

The parents reunite and end up remarrying. They all live happily ever after.

This is a fairy tale if ever I"˜ve seen one. The movie is funny and cute. However, the movie isn't realistic. First, there are the parents that divorced and decide that each will take a child and there will be no further contact between them.

How could a parent be willing to give up a child to an ex-spouse and agree to never see or attempt to contact the child in the future? What about the kids? How can someone make that type of arrangement and never think about how the kids will feel . Surely, the girls would want to know if they had a twin. The parents thought more about themselves then the well-being of the girls. Secondly, what real parent would send their child across the world to a camp in Maine if they stayed in California or London. Are there not camps closer to home? Third, this was supposed to be an all girls camp, however, there was a little boy present at the camp and stays the entire time. Forth, where is the supervision? Where are the camp directors when the girls are gambling and jumping in the lake nude. They weren't present when one of the twins put the other's furniture on top of the roof. How did kids get the furniture there? After the girls are reunited at the camp and find out that they have the same parents, they show no anger toward their parents for not telling them about one another. What are the odds that sisters would meet up at a camp thousands of miles away from home, carrying half a photo of the other parent. Then the twins decide to switch places when camp is over. They decide that they need to change their appearance to look more like one another. Considering that this is a children's film, I disagree with the idea that they have one of the twins cutting hair, piercing the others ears, and using a lighter. There is an effort made to show the girls are being sterile, Unfortunately, they use a lighter. How did they get a lighter? Some kids can get the wrong idea about this situation and think it is okay to cut hair and pierce their own ears.

When the kids return to their new homes for the summer, the parents have no idea they don't have the same child as before. Even though the girls are identical twins, a parent should know their child on sight. Everyone else notices. When the mother find out the girl who has been staying with her for the summer isn't the child that she has legal rights to, why doesn't she notify the father herself? Instead, she leaves it up to the child to contact him. That isn't the child's responsibility. At this point, it is time for the parents to put aside their differences and speak to one another about what happened.

Even with all the things that are wrong in this movie, overall the film maintains its humor. Those who appreciate comedy will view this as a four star film. Throughout the movie the girls continue to play practical jokes on one another, as well as others. What makes it better is how the audience forgets that the twins are played by only one person. That's right! Lindsay Lohan does an excellent job playing both roles of Hallie Parker and Annie James. She even adopted an English accent. Even those who don't like the movie have to appreciate the acting of the multitalented Lindsay Lohan.

Susan Wlosazczyna, a critic for USA today, couldn't have said it better. The funniest scene happens at camp. The girls endless jokes and pranks make the movie. However, when the camp is over and the girls go their separate ways, the jokes don't stop. They are just getting started. The step mother, played by Elaine Hendrix, will be the one to get it worst.

The girls are not really cruel, however, they just want their family back. Who could blame them? The camping trip also adds more humor. Meredith, the soon to be step-mother, is a high class city girl who knows nothing about camping. When she decides to tag along on the camping trip, the girls really make her pay for it. Putting her out in the lake while sleeping, replacing her insect repellent with sugar water, and putting rocks in her back pack are just a few pranks the twins play on Meredith.

Personally, I have viewed the movie several times and each time it is funnier. The suspense is excellent. When are the parents going to realize the truth about why their little girls are acting strange? This brings its own humor. If two are not enough, the girls also used both their butler and nanny to help with their plans. When everyone meets at the hotel, neither parent actually knows what is going on. This sequence is so well timed because the characters just miss each other in the lobby. To see the parents back together again will put a smile on anyones face, except Meredith. She pretends to like children when deep inside she hates them.

Unfortunately, she soon finds out there isn't just one little girl in Nick's life, but two and they're twins.

The Parent Trap is a very cute story, however some parents should be careful about letting younger children view this film. There are some scenes that should only be viewed by young adults or older. This is a film that will make you smile, cry, laugh, and cheer. Not only is a family reunited, but an old relationship is rekindled. True enough, there are some low things the girls do, but it is all for a good cause. Overall, I give this movie two thumbs up!!!