'Switch' with Ellen Barkin is remake of Goodbye Chalie
'Switch' with Ellen Barkin is a remake of 'Goodbye Charlie'.
Really cute movie...hard to decide which one is better.
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http://www.theobamafile.com/
And why the story is credited only to Blake Edwards' "original" screenplay is a mystery.
The same thing happened 54 years earlier, when the 1937 A Star is Born not only was nominated for , but WON the Academy Award for "Original" Story. The exact same story was originally directed by George Cukor in 1932 as What Price Hollywood. Cukor had the last laugh by directing what most consider to be the definitive musical version in 1954--but still you wonder how they got away with it in 1937.
I'm sure if Switch had been a bigger success, it would have surfaced at the time--but it pretty much came and went. Anyway, how could this not be a remake when he/"she" meets up with the male friend (Jimmy Smits/ Tony Curtis) in both films.
Differences:
1. We actually get to see the cad before the reincarnation, whereas in GC he's just a voiceless shadow almost. (The stand-in actor playing the male Charley has no other IMDb credits.)
2. It's not a jealous husband who does him in, but three wronged women--which is significant, because the frilly glas in the original would not have pulled that off.
3. Barkin actually makes an effort to appear as a man trapped in a woman's body (not to mention still pursuing a woman). Reynolds is way too femme, almost as if Minnelli was afraid to direct her to go there.
4. Switch attempts to address sexism homophobia to varying degrees of success. I doubt the insulting pejorative slurs hurled about that gay psychic would make it into the film today. Hard to believe that even the remake is 20 years old now. (Also, Lorraine Bracco's much-maligned performance as the female suitor didn't help.)
5. The conclusion is different. The original is more clever, where the remake is kind of a get-out-of-hell-on-a-technicality wrap-up.
What really bothers me about the remake is the fact that they make a supposedly likeble character out to be a RAPIST--then just brush it aside for the sake of moving the story along. As I said, had the film been more successful and gotten more attention, feminists would have had a field day, and rightfully so!
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!" C. M. Burns
What a thoughtful and interesting analysis of both films. I found my way here after finding "Goodbye Charlie" up on Youtube and wanted to see if it was worth watching. I'm glad you think it is, since I really like both Debbie and Tony.
When I read the synopsis of Goodbye Charlie, I immediately thought of Switch. My husband and I liked Switch. The theme of manhood and womanhood is one that Blake Edwards explored in several films, including the very successful and enjoyable "Victor/Victoria".
These films really let you get inside his mind and see the dilemma we all face concerning what we truly are and what we are expected to be in terms of gender.
Thanks again for your comments. And based on your recommendation, I will give "Goodbye Charlie" a go.
Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated. Sometimes I question whether it's worth it when posting more than a few sentences if anyone is going to read it at all.
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!" C. M. Burns
I know what you mean. Most people are so brief in posts, they almost flaunt it like it's a point of pride.
I really appreciate when someone takes the time and effort to do what you did. Film deserves it!
My thoughts on what you wrote:
1. Very interesting that Debbie just played it as a straight up GIRL. I want to see the film even more now, since part of what made Switch work for me was that Ellen Barkin did a great job of never letting you forget that she was really a man trapped in a woman's body. The only thing I got tired of was the high heels gag.
2. Very interesting also about the slurs regarding gay men. I don't know if you could do that now. It was important in Switch since it showed how much the Ellen Barkin/Steve character was uncomfortable about gay men and how vocal he had to be about it. Very telling - food for thought, at a time when homosexuality was not a forefront issue as it is today.
3. The Lorraine Bracco character was weird, but I liked her. She was unusual in an intriguing way. At that time, it was quite unusual to be presented with a character like that - a very feminine, very attractive gay woman who was also supposed to be the head of a cosmetics empire.
4. I really like your thoughts on the endings of the two films, and how you said Switch just ended up being a "get out of hell" pass. That was funny and I never thought of it that way. I liked the ending, but it was very sad. Again, based on what you have written, I look forward to seeing the way the earlier film resolves.
Switch has some very funny moments, and I like the overall feel of it. But it is a hard one to watch because of the sad ending. I do like that Blake Edwards has the Steve character experience pregnancy and birth and try to convey what that is like. It really is so mind-boggling that men and women can share almost everything, maybe truly everything - except this.
I've mentioned this before on one of these boards, but I heard or read a serious discussion about why women can never attain the same level of comedic sainthood that men can. The reason was childbirth. That women go through something so painful and risk their lives to bring new life into the world gives them a gravity that ultimately makes them not funny. Also a very interesting analysis.
Thanks again - this was fun!