The Parent Trap was the classic sixties tale of twins (originally played by Hayley Mills) who swap places is remade for the nineties by film-makers Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer, who had success with a similar revamping of Father of the Bride back in 1991.
Identical twins Hallie (Lohan) and Annie (also Lohan) were separated shortly after they were born when their parents split up. Hallie has grown up in California with her vineyard-owning dad Nick (Quaid), while Annie has been raised by her mother Elizabeth (Richardson), who designs wedding dresses in London. Unaware of each other’s existence, the pair finally meet at summer camp and then scheme to switch places so that each can meet the parent they’ve never known, and perhaps reunite the couple before Nick marries gold-digger Meredith (Elaine Hendrix).
While the movie is quite slow for a family film, it’s saved by a thoroughly engaging cast and two fabulous performances from a young Lindsay Lohan, who carries every scene without ever being annoying. Meant for an audience of young girls, this is nonetheless perfectly watchable for the parents-in-tow.
Is The Parent Trap (1998) suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...
None.
If you like this, why not try: The Parent Trap 1961, Freaky Friday 2003, Herbie: Fully Loaded, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Harriet The Spy,