Family Switch (2023)
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A dysfunctional family finds themselves literally in each other's shoes after a magical mishap at an observatory.
The story
In Los Angeles, the Walker family is a divided unit of parents Jess and Bill and their three children, CC, Wyatt, and Miles, who struggle to connect despite their differing outlooks on life. As Christmas approaches, the parents try to bring the emotionally distant kids together. During a trip to the Griffith Observatory to see a rare planetary alignment, the family's tensions boil over. While wishing for a deeper understanding of one another, a blinding flash occurs during a request for a family photo, resulting in a magical body swap between the parents and children.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After a magical accident at the Griffith Observatory causes the Walker family to switch bodies, Jess and CC find themselves in each other's forms, as do Bill and Wyatt. The family, including toddler Miles and their dog Pickles, must navigate their daily lives in swapped bodies. They hire a neighbor, Rolf, to babysit Miles and Pickles while they attempt to repair the telescope to switch back before the next planetary alignment. The swap leads to various disasters: CC (in Jess's body) ruins a business presentation, while Jess (in CC's body) compromises a soccer match. Bill (in Wyatt's body) fumbles a scholarship interview, and Wyatt (in Bill's body) attends a party with his son's crush. Despite the chaos, the family begins to learn about each other's hidden sacrifices and hardships. They eventually resolve to stay together regardless of the swap, performing at a music concert together. They eventually return to the observatory, where they discover Miles had saved the original telescope lens. They use it to switch back to their original bodies, and the family is reunited with new perspectives on their relationships.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 105
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- McG
- Writers
- Adam Sztykiel · screenplay; Victoria Strouse · screenplay; Victoria Strouse · story
- Cast and characters
- Jennifer Garner · Jess; Ed Helms · Bill; Emma Myers · CC; Brady Noon · Wyatt; Rita Moreno · Angelica
- Genres
- fantasy; comedy
- Themes
- family dynamics; empathy; sacrifice; wish fulfillment
- Tone and mood
- sweet; comedic; whimsical
- Setting
- Los Angeles during the Christmas season
- Premise and plot tags
- body swap; family comedy; Christmas movie; fantasy
- Source material / true-story basis
- Bedtime for Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some describing it as blandly sweet and predictable, while others found it to be a passable holiday filler.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 37 · scale: 100
- Production trivia
- The film features multiple renditions of 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town', including one with Weezer.; The film features the songs 'Seven Nation Army' and 'Bust a Move'.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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