It's got energy but not a whole lot else – feels like a Channel 4 `youf' comedy a la `As If'
27 October 2002
Justine is a 17 year old virgin and she wants to do something about it but can't find the best man to do it. She visits a science fair with her geeky friend Chas and has a go in a virtual reality machine that allows you to carry out changes to your own body. She makes herself into the perfect man when suddenly a freak explosion cause a power jolt and creates her electronic version – Jake. Jake befriends Chas while trying to work out a way back to his/her old body but Justine remembers nothing but is set up with Jake by her (their!) friend Fran.

Who says the Americans can only do average teen comedies – here the UK has a stab too. The film has a certain energy and enthusiasm that is hard to dislike at first but wears thin before even the halfway point is reached. Part of the reason is the fact that the plot is complete nonsense. I coped with the fact that Justine had become Jake – but it was all confused when Justine herself still exists in her old body. It just seemed so strained that I lost interest a bit. But the comedy should have held me.

The laughs are basic and mainly come from youf things – it's not very clever. The energy of the film comes through in the actors but also little touches like onscreen text and what not, it feels like it's full of youth and drive, even if the end result feels a little tired. Fraser is cool as Justine and carries the lead well. The first quarter is all her and it is the best part. Her change to Jake sees the focus on Penry-Jones who isn't very good, he tries but he is all wrong, when Fraser returns it isn't the same. de Lacey is OK and I must admit that I now have a small thing for Duprey who I found to be really good-looking!

I read a review that said hating this was like trying to kick a puppy – it's so full of cute enthusiasm and for the most part that's true. The energy carries it and makes it worth a watch if only once. However the laughs are fair to middling and the whole damn plot is just daft and confusing when you try and think about it for longer than a second.
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