Review of “Family Switch” – A holiday comedy on Netflix about body-swapping, which has too much going on.

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At some point in most modern families, the youngest member reaches an age where they are ready for “movie night”. During the pandemic, our daughter’s interests shifted from Australian mermaid dramas to more enjoyable options like The Baby-Sitters Club and Gilmore Girls. To celebrate, my husband and I introduced our kids to Cary Grant and Alfred Hitchcock films, which they enjoyed just as much as we did. However, as the world reopened, our children’s preferences diverged. Our son now prefers watching football games and dramas, while I can tolerate the dramas but not the more mature content. As for our daughter, she would rather retreat to her room and watch a Netflix show about cake.

The Family Switch, created by a popular streamer and released just in time for the holiday season, is a strategic move aimed directly at the common problem of multi-generational viewing. With McG as the director and Jennifer Garner as both producer and lead actress, this Christmas-themed drama takes a “the more, the merrier” approach to the classic trope of trading places. It offers a diverse cast of characters for viewers to identify with, including the athletic, tech-savvy, nostalgic, and work-obsessed members of the Walker family. As with many families who are no longer confined to their homes, this once-close household is now drifting apart as each member pursues their own individual interests. Could a touch of old-fashioned role reversal bring them back together?

The classic body-swap film Freaky Friday featured a mother and daughter who switch bodies, while films like Big and 13 Going on 30 focused on a single child suddenly inhabiting their future self. However, in Family Switch, the concept goes even further. During a rare planetary alignment, Jess and her teenage daughter CC, as well as Bill and his teenage son Wyatt, switch places. Even the family dog and baby are affected, with the dog walking and using a potty like a human. Unfortunately, there is a heavy reliance on toilet humor, including shots of the dog urinating under a Christmas tree and Jess farting after eating ice cream. There is also a recurring joke involving a German dog trainer that fell flat. Some modern elements are sprinkled in, such as jokes about “intimacy doulas” and the band Maroon 5.

Reportedly based on a children’s book called “Bedtime for Mommy” by Amy Krause Rosenthal, this project is among Netflix’s recent lineup of star-studded holiday films that are more glamorous than those on the Hallmark Channel. It takes place in Los Angeles, which was likely convenient for the cast and crew, but the constant sunshine and palm trees don’t contribute much to the warm and cozy atmosphere that is typical of cheesy Christmas movies. However, this is also a supernatural story involving a fortune teller (Rita Moreno), strange occurrences, and unexpected discoveries about each other’s bodies (OMG, I have a tattoo/weird nipple hair, etc.).

The scriptwriting team has incorporated numerous coincidences into the plot. Each member of the Walker family has a significant task to accomplish on the day of their body swap. CC’s soccer game is being scouted by the national team, Wyatt has a Yale interview, Dad, a former rock-star, may have a chance to play on national TV, and Jess has a crucial work presentation that could lead to a promotion. This sets the stage for clever and comical moments as the characters struggle to navigate unfamiliar situations. Imagine trying to impress a Yale admissions committee in the future, or trying to play soccer without using your hands!

Undoubtedly, many families will watch this cringe-worthy Christmas comedy during their holiday vacations. It may warm their hearts and bring families closer together, while also creating new fans of director McG. However, they may also gain a greater understanding and appreciation for their own interests and passions. For any aspiring filmmakers in the audience, they may learn the lesson to not overload their films with excessive gimmicks. As even technology mogul Sam Altman once stated: “It is more valuable to have a small group of dedicated users who love your product, rather than a large group who simply like it.”

• “Family Switch will be released on Netflix on November 30th.”

Source: theguardian.com