"We're like...sisters..."      

THE PARENT TRAP (PG) 

Reviewed August 11, 1998 - Check out The Parent Trap Website.

A pair of identical twins are separated at birth when their parents decide to divorce each other.  One child (Annie) grows up in England with her mother; the other child (Hallie) grows up in California with her father.  Then, eleven years later, the twins accidentally discover each other at a New England summer camp for girls.  "We're like...sisters," says one.  "No silly, we're like twins!" says the other.  Next step for the girls: switch places so that each can meet the parent they have never known...and maybe even bring their parents back together again.

Welcome to The Parent Trap, Disney's 1998 remake of the 1961 classic starring Haley Mills.  This time, the twins are played by Lindsay Lohan, with Dennis Quaid as the father, and Natasha Richardson as the mother.  Is this movie meant to be cute and sugary and sweet? Of course. Does it succeed? Very definitely.

One of the great things about The Parent Trap is that it has that charming innocence that you don't see much of in movies anymore.  Yeah, Annie and Hallie are disgustingly cute, and so are their parents Nick and Elizabeth.  The housekeepers (nicely played by Lisa Ann Walter and Simon Kunz) are also great people, with the only "bad guy" being Nick's new fiancee Meredith (Elaine Hendrix), who could spoil the kids' plans to bring the family back together.

Yes, The Parent Trap is a light and fluffy film.  But it's also a funny and entertaining one.  Young Lindsay Lohan does a great job with her dual role (and dual accents), as does the remainder of the cast in this two-hour moviegoing experience.  Just remember: this isn't Shakespeare, it's Disney...and it's good Disney at that. Guess this goes to show that at least sometimes, they can make 'em like they used to...

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

Stephanie Baker gives this movie  stars: "I thought this movie was awesome. It is extremely heart-warming, yet funny! The actors did a great job, and the sets were also great. I could watch this movie a thousand times and not get sick of it!" (8/15/01)

kwazykitty33 gives this movie  stars: "I love this movie soo much. I think the director and all the people who made this movie a winner is did a *SUPER* job. I hope to be in the next Parent Trap movie cause I'm also an actress. Everyone in Georgia and Virgina say "GREAT WORK". :) (0)(0)" (7/13/01)

Katie Burke gives this movie  stars: "This was the best movie ever! Lindsey Lohan has awesome talent. Each time I watch it, I fall in love with it all over again! " (6/8/01)

daydreamer_990@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "This movie was completely cute and origional. Lindsay did an excellent job in it, as well as the other actors/actresses. I think everyone should see this movie" (6/4/01)

monika@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: " I loved your movie,The Parent Trap.Every part of it was sensational.I Would love to meet you one day,but I really dont know how to and now I have tried all the ways but I am not going to give up.Please send me your E mail address as soon as you have received my one so that we could be friends.Thanks.P.S. You are the best playing actress that I have ever seen,and you are adorable. BYE " (5/31/01)

siobhanita@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "I LOVE the parent trap!!I've watched it millions of times and still i love it!!It's so funny that everytime i watch it laugh even harder!!" (5/4/01)

sabrinaharte@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "it was excellent but Annies clothes were pathetic. lindsay is not that cute. i mean i'm the sam age as her and way prettier, stylish, elegant,pinache and sweeter and cuter!!" (4/20/01)

melodycat@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I think that this movies that they acted in was great and I got to say that they were funny. And I hope that they will show Parent Trap (part two). Girls keep it up and way to go!!" (1/30/01)

lori5553@home.com gives this movie  stars: "It is the best movie I saw I will watch it over and over and over" (12/23/00)

stagekids@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "This remake of the classic Parent Trap starring Hallie Mills is an example of what Disney stands for. I applaud their efforts and commitment to bringing classic films to a new generation. Lindsay Lohan is fabulous, and if this film doesn't leave you with a tear in your eye, nothing will..." (10/19/00)

yougogirl_40@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: " i think it was so perfect!!!!!!!" (10/5/00)

hopester15jc@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I really love the way Lindsey did the double role. She is doing a great job. " (10/3/00)

joshbabe@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars: "Lindsey Lohan does an extrodinary job playing two parts for her age........She is quite the actress." (8/21/00)

sunshiney87@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "this movie is the absolute bestest of the best! it's totally funny, cute, and...awesome all at the same time! this is one of those movies you can watch ALL the time and never get sick of. i should know! i do it all the time! P:S the ear piercing part is way awesome." (8/14/00)

ian@imckay.fsnet.co.uk gives this movie  stars: "I wish people would stop degrading films. Not all films are awful and even films that other people have spoken poorly of are not awful. At least the really stupid movies are the really funny movies. This isn't stupid. It pulls out all the stops to bring us entertainment and it succeeds. Oh, why do so many people degrade Quaid? Quaid is great in this movie, though I must admit some of his timing is ill-timed, though for his very few faults, his acting is good and when I saw him in an earlier film, Jaws III, he was good in that, too. Natasha Richardson, Lindsay Lohan and Simon Kunz with Lisa Ann Walter all did a good job. To be frank, I didn't like the original. I liked this because it was a better atmosphere and all the scenes mainly were not ill-timed. Well done, Disney. A special congratulations goes to all the cast for their excellent comic acting. Simon Kunz was very good as a comic actor as was his love interest, Lisa Ann Walter. It's just a shame you can't say it to their faces. It must be incredibly hard work, though, to be an actor." (7/12/00)

danewheat@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "This is the best move I've ever seen in my whole life. Lindsey Lohan does an exellent job with that great acsent. I'm obsessed over this movie because it is so good! I hope to one day meet Lindsey to tell her what an awsome job she did acting on this movie." (6/28/00)

rfksecond2@cs.com gives this movie  stars: "I'm glad they didn't go the easy way and hire the Olsen's twins. Lindsey played each part great." (6/17/00)

babypink@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I love Halie´s way of talking and clothes." (6/14/00)

silverstar_2000@mytalk.com gives this movie  stars: "the movie was really great!" (3/27/00)

Biggens@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "This movie had me laughing my head off for days.it is a great film.lindsay lohan is a wonderfull young actress" (3/24/00)

im2of4@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I loved it when 'Hallie' and 'Annie' were playin poker together! I just want to watch this movie over and over again." (3/4/00)

angiedsmith@netscape.net gives this movie  stars: "I loved this movie it was great! Lindsey Lohan was perfect for the part.I have to admitt the movie was like It takes two.But it was still great.Please let lindsey be in more movies she's great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (2/5/00)

anonymous entry gives this movie  stars: "This is the best movie ever!Louise Lohan is the best actress in the world!I've watched tons of times.E-mail me if you feel the same. THE BEST FILM IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (1/23/00)

Matthew Ryan gives this movie  stars: "This is an excelant remake of the film in 1961 its the best film Ive seen in ages" (1/10/00)

lrossetti@milwpc.com says: "I thought that the movie was beyond the best!!! I thought that Lindsey Played the two parts beautifully. I always have been fasinated with acting." (10/6/99)

luya84@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I loved it and loved lindsay lohan, too. she was great!! I never get enough of it!" (9/9/99)

mmcollectibles@msn.com gives this movie  stars: "After being so disappointed with too many of the recent remakes I hesitated seeing The Parent Trap at the theater. HUGE MISTAKE! HUGE! I just recently caught it on cable and, like everyone else, love it a lot. A LOT! A LOT! ACTUALLY! We have it on DVD now and it is awesome! Lindsay Lohan is a truly talented young actress and we look forward to seeing her in more movies." (8/1/99)

crankitup-1-2-3@excite.com gives this movie  stars: "this is my FAVORITE movie in the WHOLE WORLD!!! i love it so much, chessy and martin are SO funny! and lindsey lohan does a great job being to girls at once" (7/28/99)

shotgunshells@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Interesting how they can film the same actress doing two parts at the same time isn't it?" (7/27/99)

shannan_5@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "The MOVIE rocked!!! It was so so so FUNNY!!!" (7/22/99)

Jade gives this movie  stars: "I watch it over and over and over and over. Can't get enough of it, baby!" (7/19/99)

mideum1@netcom.net gives this movie  stars: "This movie is relly relly good Lindsay Lohan shuld be in more movies my favert part of this movie was when the twins frist meat and Hallie starts with your eyes are much clser then mine and that nose eee. But dont wery dear those thanges can be fixt" (7/9/99)

jlandstrom@ameritech.net gives this movie  stars: "I think they did a great job on this movie! I also think they should come out with a sequal to this movie it had an ending that could have a ending!" (12/15/98)

parry1@bigpond.com gives this movie  stars: "It gave me a giggle or two" (12/14/98)

jolyn_lai@hotmail.com says: "I'm very like to saw this movie,because I'm very like to see LINDSAY LOHAN. She is very nice and cute. Ok,that's all for now, I'll waiting to your reply. Bye......" (12/1/98)

Moises Eskinazi gives this movie  stars. (11/27/98)

Ins gives this movie  stars: "Its a feel good movie...something u want to watch over & over... its funny, hilarious, cute, and well...very romantic.:-)" (11/27/98)

cheryl_avery@ddhmail.ehnr.state.nc.us gives this movie  stars: "Dennis Quaid is a terrific actor. I saw this movie 10 times. Loved it. Please tell him everyone in North Carolina says hello and keeping making sensational movies!!" (11/25/98)

tazchan11@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I am very impresed on how you make the twins like alike." (11/24/98)

pabenums@ums.edu.my gives this movie  stars: "I really-really-really luvvvv this movie." (11/19/98)

Awwir gives this movie  stars: "your film was so great. I like it." (11/19/98)

David gives this movie  stars: "Since the original, the ideas that this movie has been based on has been done to death. But it was good fun and some laughs included -- I preferred "It Takes Two" though." (10/4/98)

tigger13@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I really loved this movie though it was very much like It Takes Two (but better)!!!" (9/24/98)

eric.sprik@mcione.com gives this movie  stars: "What a fun movie! I enjoyed it more than the original Hayley Mills version. Beautiful scenery, lovely sets and a heart tugging plot. Can't wait for the video." (9/9/98)

jaykay58@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I realy loved the movie and will see it time after time" (8/29/98)