Family Switch is a feel-good and crowd-pleasing movie that celebrates the miracle and spirit of this Christmas season. So, this fantasy tale narrates a wacky tale of a lovely family.
Most likely, it is inspired by the 2020 Le sens de la Famille ( 2021 Family Swap) a French film. Very smartly, it mentions its inspirations in the film. Thus, its basic concept is not a new one.
Synopsis of the Family Switch (2023) movie
Jess Walker (Jennifer Garner) and Bill Walker (Ed Helms) are doing their best to keep their family connected as their children grow older, more independent, and more distant.
Then, one day, the Walker family descends into chaos days before Christmas when a rare cosmic event causes the parents to swap bodies with their teenage kids. This happens when a chance encounter with an astrological reader causes the Walkers to wake up to a full-body switch.
Besides, this body swapping took place on the morning of the most important day of each of their lives, can they unite to land a promotion, college interview, record deal, and soccer tryout?
So, there is lots of chaos, confusion, crisis and comedy.
Spoiler Free Review of the Family Switch (2023) movie
So, what else is there in its storyline?
In this movie, the Walkers are a nuclear family of five. They are – Mom Jess Walker (Jennifer Garner), Dad Bill Walker (Ed Helms), 16-year-old daughter CC (Emma Myers), 14-year-old son Wyatt (Brady Noon) and 2-year-old son Miles. Not to forget their cute little ‘French Bulldog, who is an inseparable member of the family.
There is a lot of built-in resentment and ongoing friction among its family members.
Then a miracle happens when the nuclear elements split and recombine the Walker family. Thereby, Jess’s brain is in CC’s body (and vice versa), while Bill’s brain is in Wyatt’s body (and vice versa). And then there are the toddler and the dog. It is more like a complete Family Switch. And then the complications of their lives hit all of them, hard.
So, the youngsters, CC and Wyatt, discover the pressures of adulthood. On the other hand, the parents, Jess and Bill, find out more about the tough lives of teenagers.
It is a chaotic and comedic mess.
“(Movies – Big), Freaky Friday, 13 Going on 30, 17 Again, The Change-Up. They’re all fun, and they all make a contribution (in this film).”
Film Director McG
Please note that like the easter eggs, almost all the movies named above were mentioned in the dialogues in this film with a six-way switch.
But, what did we not like in this family film?
We did not like quite a few comic scenes in this family movie. For instance, the humour involving potty, farting, dog urinating under the Christmas tree, colonoscopy photos, etc. Also, these so-called funny scenes in the movie only added to our discomfort. They were cringeworthy and made you feel awkward while watching with one’s family.
Besides, some of its jokes are tired ones, hence they are predictable. Maybe, it happened because, we have seen all of these movies named above Big, Freaky Friday, 17 Again, etc.
Still, we liked these actors and their characters
Jennifer Garner (Jess Walker – second from the right in the above picture) plays the Walker family matriarch. In the past, she has worked in movies like ’13 Going on 30′. And that perhaps helped her play the lead protagonist. She brings her usual charm and oodles of energy to portray the high-flying career woman Jess in the film.
Ed Helms (Bill Walker – first from the right in the above picture) plays Bill Walker. He is the high school music teacher and frontman of rock band Dad or Alive. Note the intended pun.
Bonus info.:- The band "Dad or Alive" is made up of Ed Helms and the members of the band Weezer.
Emma Myers (CC Walker – first from the left in the above picture) plays the teenage daughter. She is a hugely talented young football player, who aspires to play for Team USA.
Brady Noon (Wyatt Walker – second from the left in the above picture) is a teenage science nerd. Studious and brilliant, he wishes to get admission into the prestigious Yale University.
All three actors, Ed, Emma and Brandy have done well to depict the utter confusion in their respective lives after the body switch take place. Not to forget, the EGOT actress Rita Moreno (Angelica), the mysterious old lady) and the actor Matthias Schweighöfer (Rolf – the next-door neighbour and the dog trainer. Both of them have done a good job too.
The conclusion
In the holiday season, such fun, carefree and lighthearted movies are apt for family viewing. We enjoyed its kooky and nutty story, especially at the time of the Christmas cakes. Enjoy!
Rating of this 2023 family comedy film – set in the Christmas season
| FM’s rating | 3.50/5 |
| FM’s short comment | Despite a few inconsistencies with its comic scenes, on the whole, this family comedy film entertains us with its frantic tales and nice acting. |
Posters of this 2023 family comedy film – set in the Christmas season
Key details of this 2023 family comedy film – set in the Christmas season
| Genre | Family, Comedy |
| Original language | English (USA) |
| Age-restrictions | PG |
| Duration | 1 hour 41 minutes |
| Released in | November 30, 2023 |
| Writers | Chris Shafer, Victoria Strouse, Adam Sztykiel, & Paul Vicknair |
| Director | McG |
| Cast | Jennifer Garner (Jess Walker), Ed Helms (Bill Walker), Emma Myers (CC), Brady Noon (Wyatt), Rita Moreno (Angelica), Matthias Schweighöfer (Rolf), Fortune Feimster (Coach Kim), Howie Mandel (Barry), Cyrus Arnold (Hunter Drew), Paul Scheer (Steven), Vanessa Carrasco (Ariana), etc. |
| Network | Netflix |
The trailer of this 2023 family comedy film – set in the Christmas season
Featured Image, Other Image and Poster of the Family Switch (2023) movie | Credit: Netflix.