13 Going On 30 Is 20 This Year – Here’s How It Shaped Me

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2000s fashion, an iconic soundtrack and nostalgia..what more could a girl want?

A film close to my heart is 13 going on 30, and it is turning 20 this year. Starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, Jenna, a 13-year-old, wishes to be 30 after being humiliated at her birthday party. She suddenly wakes up in 2004 in her beautiful New York apartment and has everything she desires. Terrified and confused, Jenna must navigate the challenging world of adulthood. 

I was too young to watch this film in 2004, but I remember watching it a few years later, around 2007. We rented it from Xtra-Vision and I sat on the floor in the sitting room and watched it. I don’t remember every emotion I felt while watching it, but this film is part of my core memory. As someone who is now 23 going on 24 (see what I did there), rewatching this film for the first time in a couple of years made me emotional as I watched it from a new perspective.

Young Jenna is intelligent, creative, kind and a little naive, as most of us were at 13. I know I was! 30-year-old Jenna is mean, has no real connections with her family or friends and is career-driven to the point of toxicity; what changed? In this version of Jenna’s future, she is best friends with the mean girl, Lucy. She and Jenna are the main girls at Poise; they will fire anyone in their way to become number one. Jenna and Matt are no longer friends, and she is lonely even though she is surrounded by everything she has ever dreamed of.

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I love many aspects of this film, including the premise of fixing and changing your future, even in this mythical way, while including things that we all face in life: love, heartbreak, redemption, regret, and finding your own identity. 

The love between Matt and Jenna, platonically (and romantically), is so lovely. Young Matt makes Jenna’s dream house. It has a pink exterior, and the interior is filled with her favourite things. Jenna was in awe of the amount of detail that Matt put into it. They know each other deeply and share charming traditions. Their friendship is based on two people being true to themselves and caring about the other’s dreams. They both seem to have little crushes on each other, which is adorable.

Jenna and Matt reconnect, and you can feel their emotions; Matt is rightfully hesitant. Jenna successfully changes her future and returns to being 13. Fast forward to when Jenna and Matt get married in his childhood home. The film ends with them moving into…a pink house! They sit on their couch outside and share Razzles. I love this ending because it is a beautiful and full-circle; they were destined to be together.

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A scene that I adore that also breaks my heart is when Jenna returns home after realising what type of person she has become and wants to return to 13. ‘Vienna’ by Billy Joel plays while she’s on the train. Jenna goes into the closet and cries desperately, wishing to go back in time. Her parents return, thinking there’s an intruder when Jenna runs into their arms and tells them how much she missed them.

Music has always greatly impacted me; this song, mixed with this scene, provokes so much emotion (tears). I think of my family; I have been extremely fortunate to have the best parents and brother in the world. This scene always makes me think of how much I need them. I remember watching it so vividly and feeling a knot in my stomach, not knowing why. It is because no matter how grown up I am, no matter where I am or who I’m with. I will always need my family (and pets) and could burst from my love for them.

“Slow down, you’re doing fine, you can’t be everything you want to be before your time” – Billy Joel, ‘Vienna.’

Jenna starts to redeem herself throughout the film; she’s kinder to everyone around her. She is building connections with people, not for selfish reasons. Jenna admits to her mistakes and is deeply ashamed of the person she has become. This helps her later in the film; Poise needs a rebrand, and her boss, Richard, asks her and Lucy to work together on the rebrand, before Lucy turns out to be a backstabber (shocker!).

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Jenna creates a pitch for the new Poise; the inspiration is real women and people. She realises how damaging the magazine is to young girls and women and wants it to change. Jenna’s transformation is honest and refreshing; she stumbles, apologises and learns from her mistakes. I admire her confidence, personally and professionally; she puts her ideas forward regardless of nerves.

Later, Jenna is eating a homemade sun-shaped pancake and asks her mam if she could have a do-over, what would she change? Her mam takes a second to think and says “nothing”; she’s made mistakes but doesn’t regret making them because she wouldn’t have made things right. Jenna smiles and looks down before apologising for missing last Christmas. Jenna is filled with regret, but she realises she can change her future.

I wouldn’t say I like making any mistake; I hate it. This scene stuck out to me because of her mam’s response, “If I didn’t make them, I wouldn’t have made things right.” It reminds me that second chances are possible, mistakes are inevitable, but you can change things. 

Jenna discovers her identity through her values, confidence, and unique style. She embraces individuality and breaks free from the mould of her peers. Jenna respects and values everyone equally. Her style is brighter, and she isn’t afraid to mix different accessories, textures, and pieces.

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Since childhood, I have never followed trends; I wear what I like. At times, it makes me feel insecure that I’m not trendy. I’ve always loved florals and dresses; that is when I feel the prettiest and the most me.

I was raised to treat everyone with the same respect and kindness. I remember seeing myself in Jenna when I was younger; she showed authenticity and kindness. I always wanted to include everyone. I also know I don’t need to betray people to climb the career ladder. We are all equals.

13 Going on 30 will always be a special film for me, one I hope my future children will enjoy. The film helped shape me because it showed some of the realities of being an adult; it isn’t always going to be easy; there will be times when you might have to face difficult situations, question your friendships, and reflect on who you’ve become. 

Recognise the good people who support you, and most importantly, be true to yourself, stick by your values, do the things that make you feel the happiest, be good to people, and try not to wish your life away. All of these things will shape you.

It is a story of redemption and an important one, too. If you haven’t seen it yet, please do yourself a favour and watch it! Remember that we will make mistakes, but most importantly, we can learn and grow from them.

A true classic.

Words by EmilyRose Nulty

• 13 going on 30