Story Type: Body Switch
Recently a project called “Opposites Attract” got set up. Here’s the premise:
Recently, a project called “Opposites Attract” got set up. Here’s the premise:
A young couple must “walk a mile in each other’s shoes” by body-switching in order to make their relationship work.
Which reminds us of this popular story type for Hollywood movies: The body switch. Sometimes, as with “Opposites Attract,” it involves swapping genders. Other times, it’s about age — an older person becomes young, a younger person becomes old.
Examples include Freaky Friday (1976) and its remake, and 13 Going on 30 (2004).
Variations on the theme include All of Me (1984) and even Being John Malkovich (1999).
But there must have been something in the water in L.A. back in the late 80s because there was a slew of body switch movies:
Of course, it’s not like this is a new idea. There’s a body switch movie all the way back in 1940 called Turnabout. The premise:
Bickering husband and wife Tim and Sally Willows mutter a few angry words to a statue of Buddha and wind up living each other’s life.
Can you think of other examples of body switch movies? Also, why do you think this is such a popular story conceit?
By the way, here is Box Office Mojo’s list of the top grossing body switch movies with Big taking the top spot with $114M domestic.
For other Story Type articles, go here.