Vice Versa is a 1988 American Christmas comedy film directed by Brian Gilbert and starring Judge Reinhold and Fred Savage. It is the fourth film adaptation of F. Anstey's 1882 novel of the same name, following the British films released in 1916, 1937 and 1948.
Synopsis[]
In Thailand, a pair of thieves steal an ancient skull from a Buddhist monastery.
Marshall Seymour is vice president of a Chicago department store in charge of buying. He is divorced and has an 11-year-old son named Charlie, for whom he has little time. He and his girlfriend Sam visit Thailand to purchase exotic merchandise. At the same time, an art thief named Turk tries to purchase an ornate skull but must find a way to smuggle it out of the country. He places it with one of Marshall's purchases so that he and his accomplice Lillian Brookmeyer can make a switch.
When Marshall returns, he takes Charlie for a few days while his mother Robyn and stepfather Cliff are on vacation. While holding the skull, they enter into an argument about how they wish that they could be in each other's bodies. It is revealed that the skull possesses supernatural magical powers, and they suddenly find that they have switched bodies. After the initial shock, they realize they must live out their lives as each other, and Marshall heads to school to deal with tests, bullies and hockey practice while Charlie assumes his father's role as a vice president from an 11-year-old's viewpoint.
One night, Charlie and Sam attend a concert that Marshall had forbidden him to attend. The date improves Marshall's relationship with Sam.
Marshall and Charlie visit the museum and talk with Professor Kerschner, who explains the true nature of the skull and wishes to show it to a lama before returning it to them. Robyn arrives home earlier than expected and, not knowing what has transpired, is furious at the sight of Marshall (as Charlie) drinking a martini.
After failing to reacquire the skull, the thieves embark on a mission to steal it. Charlie learns from Marshall's boss Avery that he has called a meeting to pull the plug on Marshall's business. He collects Marshall at school and, after purchasing a device that will allow them to communicate with each other, Marshall listens in on the boardroom meeting and instructs Charlie as to what he should say. However, Turk kidnaps Marshall, leaving Charlie to fend for himself in the boardroom. No longer able to speak eloquently, he rises and speaks out in Marshall's defense before leaving the meeting.
With Turk and Lillian holding Marshall for ransom, Charlie tries to retrieve the skull from the lama. Marshall attempts to explain to the thieves that he is not himself, and that he and Charlie have switched bodies because of the skull; while Turk believes him, Lillian dismisses the story as a ploy. When Charlie finally arrives with the skull, the switch is made and Marshall is returned. However, he and Charlie rush to reacquire the skull so that they can switch themselves back. They manage to catch the thieves just after they have accidentally switched bodies, and they take the skull back from them, leaving Turk and Lillian in their new bodies as punishment.
The police arrest Charlie for possible kidnapping and Cliff posts his bail. Charlie tells him that Robyn is not aware of what has happened. Sam appears and reports that Marshall still has a job despite Charlie's outburst. He asks Sam to take him home so that he can give Charlie a present. On the way, Charlie proposes marriage to Sam.
Charlie climbs through his bedroom window and he and Marshall touch the skull, successfully switching back into their own bodies. Marshall then goes to see Sam while Charlie listens to their conversation about the proposal. Though initially caught off guard, Marshall relents and embraces the proposal that Charlie had made for him.
Songs[]
- "Set the Night to Music" - Jefferson Starship
- "Crazy in the Night" - Malice
- "Vice Versa" - Malice
- "Bad to the Bone"
- "Mony Mony" - Billy Idol
Cast[]
| Actor/actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Judge Reinhold | Marshall |
| Fred Savage | Charlie |
| Corinne Bohrer | Sam |
| Swoosie Kurtz | Tina |
| Jane Kaczmarek | Robyn |
| David Proval | Turk |
| William Prince | Avery |
| Gloria Gifford | Marcie |
| Beverly Archer | Mrs. Luttrell |
| Harry Murphy | Larry |
| Kevin O'Rourke | Brad |
| Richard Kind | Floyd |
| Chip Lucia | Cliff |
| Ajay Naidu | Dale |
| Raymond Rosario | Dooley |
| Elya Baskin | Kerschner |
| James Hong | Kwo |
| Jane Lynch | Ms. Lindstrom |
| Anuwat Tiernate Surasri Klangsuwan |
Tomb Robbers |
| Penjit Prembudd | Interpreter |
| Ram Waratum | Government Spokesman |
| Sulaleewan Suwanatat | Old Lady |
| Tuantone Kammesri | Man in Warehouse |
| Danielle Kohl | Lori |
| Jason Late | Erlc |
| Tom Crawford | Judd |
| Christian Fitzpatrick | Clipper |
| Joe Guastaferro | Mr. Ferriera |
| Martyn St. David | Rich Customer |
| Peggy Roeder | Principal's Secretary |
| Paul Greatbatch | Teacher |
| Robert Bundy | Music Salesman |
| Jeff Kahn | Music Kid |
| P.J. Brown | Hockey Coach |
| Robert Petkoff | Sporting Goods Salesman |
| Alan Shearman | Security Salesman |
| Michelle Philpot | Cosmetic Salesgirl |
| Harry Yorku | Guru |
| Mike Bacarella | Limo Driver |
| Bettina Wendt | Babysitter |
| Bernie Landis | Santa Claus |
| Ralph Foody | Doorman |
| Steve Assad | Waiter |
| Danny Goldring | Motorcycle Cop |
| Rick Hall | Shotgun Cop |
| Garrett Hohimer | Kid Playing Football |
| Steve Cohen | Burly Kid |
| Dayna O'Brien | Receptionist |
| Albert Fields | Band Singer |
| John T. Stibich | Police Commander |
| Stella Vaicik | Cafeteria Worker |
| Garrick Paul Axelrod | Window Dresser |
| Darlene Anderson Landa Jaffe Cindy Legler Kathleen B. Scott |
Salespeople |
| Mark Behn Cliff Carothers Michael Landauer James Neal Jay Reynolds |
Malices |
External links[]
- Vice Versa at the Internet Movie Database
- Vice Versa at the Movie Database
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