But then we must have the wicked stepmother and this is provided by Meredith, a gold digger who's out to score the very rich hand of Dad. In true Hollywood style both parents are rich and attractive and they of course each have hired help (Lisa Anne Walter and Simon Kunz) who are of course are going to fall in love. The girls decide to switch places so they can each meet their Mum and Dad. It would be hard to accuse Lindsay Lohan's twins of any serious crime in any case. The story begins in a New England summer camp where practical jokes are the go, although the film is careful to keep nastiness well out of the way. It's also pleasing to see young girls being given the sorts of lightly rebellious antics to frolic with as are usually reserved for young boys. One of the girls has become a Londoner and one a Californian and the girls also sport very commendable English and American accents, as well as composites of the two accents when the girls switch places.

Young Lindsay Lohan plays the girls, (both of them!) complete with fabulous accents, sunny bright and distinctive personalities, appealing red hair, freckles and a great sense of fun. I was convinced that the twins must have been played by real life twins and I'm sure that I won't be the only one to fall for that particular Parent Trap. Heaven only knows how the special effects are done but I suggest that you just forget about that and settle back and enjoy the film.

This is classic Disney material and the formula can and does work very well indeed in this modern version.

They then connive to get their parents back together. Their parents divorced when they were babies. The Parent Trap was originally made in 1961 starring Haley Mills as a pair of twins who accidentally meet when they are eleven years old. The Parent Trap is cute, sugary and funny - and unashamedly so. Unusually, The Parent Trap is a children's film that can even be recommended for children by the most morally bound parent - although there is a divorce that may need to be explained away. School holidays can be deadly for older cinema patrons but sometimes there are films for children that are well worth a visit for adults.

Watch the parent trap free online