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Vice Versa
1988 98 min United States of America PG 16+
★6.2
Comedy, Fantasy
Director: Brian Gilbert
🎭 Based on
«Vice Versa»
byThomas Anstey Guthrie
Trailers
Description
A mysterious oriental skull transforms a father into his son, and vice versa.
US Gross:
$13.66M
Worldwide:
$13.66M
Starring
Judge Reinhold
Actor
Fred Savage
Actor
Corinne Bohrer
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1990
— Best Young Performer
Key opinion
Vice Versa is celebrated as a quintessential 80s family comedy that effectively uses the body-swap trope to explore the dynamics between parents and children. While some acknowledge the premise is unoriginal, the film’s earnest performances and nostalgic charm resonate deeply with viewers who value its blend of humor and emotional heart.
| Theme | The film succeeds as a heartfelt exploration of intergenerational empathy by forcing father and son to confront each other's daily struggles. | |
| Acting | The performances, particularly by Judge Reinhold, are naturalistic and anchor the comedic situations in a genuine father-son dynamic. | |
| Production | The film effectively captures the nostalgic, vibrant aesthetic of 1980s American cinema. | |
| Screenplay | The script relies on familiar, decades-old body-swap tropes, leading to a split between those who view it as a comfortingly classic formula and those who find the premise inherently unoriginal. | |
| Humor | The humor is praised for being genuinely funny and situational, though opinions vary on whether the film is a lighthearted romp or a meaningful lesson on parenting. |