Instant Favorite.

Good concept, poorly executed.

Absolutely the worst movie.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Advertising exec. Steve Brooks, a sexist male chauvinist pig, is invited to a party by a lady friend who suggestively tells him the only other guests will be two other women who he is fond of. The party gets sexy when the four get into a hot tub, but together they bind and murder him. God and the Devil aren't sure where his soul belongs, so they tell him that he will be allowed to return to life for a limited time in order for him to find one woman who likes him. If he doesn't find at least one, he will go to Hell. In order that he can't just use his ability to charm women to find one that doesn't know him, they bring him back as a woman. She retains his memory and chooses to call herself Amanda Brooks.Ellen Barkin has a remarkable performance as a womanizer in a woman's body. There is a vast difference in personalities between Barkin's Amanda/Steve and Julie Andrews' Victor/Victoria.Lorraine Bracco also is great in her quiet understated role as major cosmetics client Sheila Faxton.In addition to watching some great performances, the movie has some pretty funny bits, although some got repetitive. In particular, I thought the the bit about Amanda stumbling when wearing high heels was repeated too often. Regarding the stiletto heels, why would Amanda continue to choose the highest of stiletto heels? Also, while obviously gorgeous, I don't think then 37-year old Ellen Barkin looked as strikingly sexy as Amanda as the male characters (and Amanda herself) thought she did. She didn't seem as hot as the younger actresses who planned Steve's murder.The resolution at the ending also was somewhat disappointing to me.

Steve Brooks (Perry King) is a notorious womanizer, he thinks that all woman loves him but he is dead wrong. One night, three woman throws him an surprise party but they actually succeed murdering him. Now Steve finds himself between Heaven and Hell... He hears the voices of angels telling him, he can go to Heaven if he can find one woman, who can love him. The next day, Steve wakes up from his bed like nothing happens. But the Devil (Bruce Payne) makes an deal with the angels to make him suffer for his mistakes and to become an attractive woman (Ellen Barkin). When Steve wanted to take an leak, he finds out, he has no penis and now he realized he is a woman. Now Steve calls himself/herself Amanda. Amanda takes over Steve's job and he/she finds out that his best friend Walter has the hots for him/her. Since the soul of Steve is in Amanda's body. He/She realized, it is tough begin an woman.Written and Directed by Blake Edwards (Breakfest at Tiffany's, Skin Deep, 10) made an amusing, fantasy/comedy with an terrific performance by Barkin with the heart of a stud. Barkin's makes Edwards' somewhat flawed premise works, thanks to her. There is some good supporting performance coming from Smith's as a charming, good-hearted man and JoBeth Williams as a trashy rich woman, who is one of the three killers, who murdered Steve. Looking at this today, the movie is still pretty funny at times and it hasn't dated that much. It is certainly one of Edwards' better movies before he retired.DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an good Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD also includes Cast & Crew information and the Original Theatrical Trailer. "Switch" did went on have an small loyal cult following. I remember seeing this movie with my parents, when i was nine years old in a movie theater. I remember having an good time watching this and i still do today. Don't miss this one. Watch for an young Catherine Keener as Amanda's assistant in a bit part and Téa Leoni as a model. Panavision. (****/*****).

Alright, the premise is hokey, but not completely as Mel Gibson did it nine years later. I was funny and it had one thing that Gibson couldn't bring, and that is Ellen Barkin.Yes, I am prejudiced. Ever since I saw Barkin in The Big Easy, I have been in love with her quirky smile and hot body. She is the main reason I will be plopping my bucks down in a week to see Ocean's Thirteen. And, she did get a Golden Globe nomination out of this (Losing to Bette Midler of all people, if you can believe it!), so it is not as bad as they say.I only had two criticisms: She never got the hang of walking in heels, and the ending sucked.

I loved Ellen Barkin's portrayal of a man caught in a woman's body. It was entertaining, realistic and classic. This is one of my all time favorite movies. Jimmy Smit also comes across as a hapless stud so in love with a woman he will never really know. (This is so close to real life, that it makes me happy every time I watch it.) The ladies also are too funny while plotting the murder and trying to cover it up. The music is fantastic. The time just flies and believe me I have watched it over 200 times over the past 13 years and still find it hilarious! Switch is a great movie that deserved more success.The overall production of the movie is commendable.