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Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no doubt that 13 Going on 30 is one of the funniest family-friendly rom-coms<\/a> to watch. Even over 20 years after its release, the film remains a beloved classic (and a prime example of how to be \u201cthirty, flirty and thriving\u201d). Despite the continued love the film gets, the children of its star, Jennifer Garner, have had a very different shared experience with the fantasy flick. Garner recently explained how her movie led to some \u201ctortured years\u201d for the kids.<\/p>\n Garner previously said filming 13 Going on 30 was one of the \u201chappiest\u201d parts of her life<\/a>, which I can totally understand. However, she recently revealed on Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce<\/a> that she actually hadn\u2019t seen her iconic movie since its 2004 premiere and could use a rewatch. On the other hand, that can’t be said for her children, who’ve had to screen the film under some less-than-ideal circumstances. Garner said:<\/p>\n They went through some tortured years where they were turning 13. And [13 Going on 30] was showing up at birthday parties a lot or sleepovers, and the parents thought, \u2018Oh, this will be a fun thing.\u2019 My kids were, first of all, mortified. And second of all, so upset to see me sad, so upset to see me being in love, and, also, it’s just so cringe.<\/p>\n I would’ve never expected a movie as warm and funny as 13 Going on 30 could have led to such awkwardness for Jennifer Garner\u2019s kids! However, at the same time, I get the feelings held by the now-not-so-little-kids – Violet (20), Seraphina (17) and Samuel (13) – who Garner shares with ex-husband Ben Affleck.<\/p>\n Part of the fun of being at a sleepover is having a bit of freedom away from one’s parents. So, if I were to have to watch my mother in a movie during a sleepover, that’d probably be a record-scratch moment for me as well.<\/p>\n Someone could argue that 13 Going on 30 is one of Jennifer Garner\u2019s best movies<\/a> , as she perfectly plays teen-turned-adult Jenna Rink in the film. There are also plenty of great moments in the movie, such as when Jenna and Mark Ruffalo’s Matty lead a performance of the Thriller dance<\/a>. Of course, the romantic and comedic bits also hit. Nevertheless, as Garner further explained, he kids had visceral reactions to any screenings of the Gary Winick-helmed film:<\/p>\n I got a couple of calls from sleepovers, like, \u2018I think I have a headache.\u2019 I\u2019m like, \u2018A headache? You\u2019ve never had a headache, but you need me to get you? OK.\u2019<\/p>\n