bobhedges

Annette and I were born in the same year, 1942. I was alway neutral about Annette. While I thought she was cute, I was not a big fan. She lived inside our black and white television set and was not very real. After awhile she dropped out of sight and was largely forgotten by me.

Then I saw the movie about her life on our large screen color TV. Something made me watch the movie even though I had better things to do. Within the next 120 minutes Annette became a real person with normal problems. As the movie ends the actors are replaced with the real person they are playing. Frankie Avalon becomes Frankie Avalon. An Annette ends up being herself in the movie. There is nothing boastful about the movie. Annette is not put up on a pedestal. Her fight with MS becomes very real in her life and you experience it. The film ends with a real life situation that will bring both smiles and tears to your face.

If you grew up with Annette Funicello and you enjoyed your youth, you owe it to yourself to watch this movie. I wish I knew how to contact her and tell her how revealing and entertaining the movie is.