Favorite Moments: The Swing Set
The Moment
The Swing Set
from 13 Going on 30
There are moments in a romantic comedy that really grab you and live in your head and heart. Even mediocre rom-coms can have a moment that almost makes the movie worthwhile. Sometimes, when I write a review, I mention a scene that made my heart all aflutter. After a while, I decided to make a list of my top ten rom-com moments. They’re not necessarily grand gestures or happy-ever-afters, but rather moments that bring the leads together or heighten the sexual tension. Or they're just gooey, sweet moments.
Today’s favorite moment?…..
The Premise
Jenna and Matt have worked hard to put Jenna’s magazine pitch together, and after a long day, they take a walk, eat some Razzles, and end up on a swing set. In this scene, they both enjoy the things that they used to do as children together. Jenna may not be too far removed from the innocence of it all, but Matt is, and he finds himself charmed by the experience and Jenna.
The Build Up
"You wanna know a secret?"
"Yeah."
"You're the sweetest guy I've ever known."
The Moment
They make a bet that whoever can jump the farthest from the swing set owes the other a drink. A bit of a rough-and-tumble on the ground, some laughter and gazing into each other’s eyes, and Jenna and Matty finally kiss. It’s the kind of moment any romantic would melt for.
The Movie
A girl who's sick of the social strictures of junior high is transformed into a grownup overnight. In this feel-good fairy tale, teenager Jenna (Christa B. Allen) wants a boyfriend, and when she's unable to find one, she fantasizes about being a well-adjusted adult. Suddenly, her secret desire becomes a reality, and she is transformed into a 30-year-old (Jennifer Garner). But adulthood, with its own set of male-female challenges, isn't as easy as it looks.
Release date: April 23, 2004
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Matt Ruffalo
Directed by: Gary Winick
Written by: Cathy Yuspa, Josh Goldsmith