By David DiCerto
Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Last year's dreary drama "Thirteen" painted a bleak portrait of adolescent angst in which a bunch of 13-year-old girls act like they are 30.

Director Gary Winick goes one better in "13 Going on 30" (Revolution), a bright and breezy romantic comedy-fantasy that leaves you clapping your hands rather than slitting your wrists.

With enough laughs and heartfelt sentimentality to compensate for its warmed-over plot, the film gives the old be-careful-what-you-wish-for chestnut a fresh spin and wraps it in the infectious smile of Jennifer Garner, who makes the transition from TV action heroine to feature leading lady with luminous grace.

As the curtain rises in 1987, viewers are introduced to Jenna Rink (Christa B. Allen), a gawky social outcast desperately seeking acceptance by the in crowd at her school. When her best friend and not-so-secret admirer Matt (Sean Marquette) tries to console her by advising her to be "original," she responds, "I don't want to be original, I want to be cool."

During a humiliating 13th birthday party, Jenna is sprinkled with "wishing dust," and wakes up the next morning to find that her life has magically skipped ahead 17 years. Though in her head Jenna is still an awkward 13-year-old, her body has blossomed into the glamorous Garner's. In addition to her fetching new face and womanly curves, other post-pubescent perks include a ritzy Manhattan apartment, a hunky boyfriend and a high-powered advertising job at a hip women's magazine.

Once she recovers from the initial shock of her magical metamorphosis into maturity, Jenna quickly settles into her new skin. What's not to like? She gets to stay at posh parties past 11 p.m. without her parents' permission and her shoe collection would make Imelda Marcos green with envy.

However, Jenna discovers there is a downside to finally being cool and popular. As she tries to piece together the lost years of her life, Jenna learns that she has climbed to the top by stepping on other people. In addition to being ruthless and underhanded, she also learns that she has had affairs with married men.

In the hope of reconnecting with her recently removed childhood -- recent, at least, for her -- Jenna manages to track down Matt, who has shed his pariah pudginess, grown into the attractive Mark Ruffalo and is now a soon-to-be-married photographer living in Greenwich Village. He reacts to Jenna's far-fetched story with expected incredulity, informing her that they haven't spoken since her fateful birthday party when she banished him from her life. Yet while he feigns emotional detachment, it is obvious that he has never fully gotten over her.

As is usually the case in this type of wish-fulfillment fable, Jenna comes to regret her youthful yearnings, and winds up wishing that it's not too late for a second chance at first love.

Though occasionally slipping into caricature, Garner throws herself into the role, conveying an effervescent blend of adolescent anxiety and girly giggling.

Though better known as the deadly serious femme fatale of the hit ABC series "Alias," Garner displays a surprisingly honed sense of comic timing, which helps her maintain the convincing illusion of an ungainly girl trapped in a grown-up's body.

The supporting players -- especially the junior Jenna and Matt -- are equally first-rate. Judy Greer plays Lucy Wyman, the adult version of one of Jenna's snooty schoolmate tormentors who is now her close associate at the magazine.

"13 Going on 30" borrows much of its age-hopping conceit from several comedy antecedents -- "Big" (1988) and "Freaky Friday" (2003) being the most obvious. It also draws its theme of second chances from such films as "Mr. Destiny" (1990), "The Family Man" (2000) and even "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946).

The movie's retro soundtrack of 1980s pop songs includes Michael Jackson's "Thriller," which serves as the musical impetus for the flick's funny centerpiece sequence.

While the comedy remains mostly fresh-scrubbed, the film is peppered with some tame sexual humor -- including a spoofy striptease by Jenna's boyfriend -- which, though some parents may find inappropriate, should be taken within the context of Jenna's sexual naivete. Many of the slightly off-color jokes are planted to highlight Jenna's innocence.

At its heart, "13 Going on 30" is a sweet, emotionally satisfying fairy tale, and its happily-ever-after ending reminds us of what is truly important in life.

Due to some mild sexual humor, a few crass expressions and brief drug references, the USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.