The Change-Up (2011)

The Change-Up” is a 2011 comedy film that follows the classic body-swap premise.¹ The story revolves around two lifelong friends, Mitch Planko and Dave Lockwood, who are at very different stages in their lives.²

Mitch is a carefree, single actor who loves to smoke weed and has no real responsibilities.³ Dave, on the other hand, is a successful, high-powered lawyer with a loving wife, three children, and a demanding job.⁴ Despite their different lives, they are still best friends.⁵

One night, while out drinking together, they express their envy for each other’s lives.⁶ Dave wishes he could go back to being single and carefree, while Mitch longs for the stability and responsibility that Dave has. As they urinate in a magical fountain, they simultaneously wish they could switch places.⁷

The next morning, their wish comes true.⁸ Dave wakes up in Mitch’s body, and Mitch wakes up in Dave’s body.⁹ They are both horrified by the situation and try to figure out a way to switch back.

The rest of the film follows their hilarious attempts to navigate each other’s lives.¹⁰ Mitch, in Dave’s body, struggles to manage Dave’s job and family, while Dave, in Mitch’s body, tries to cope with Mitch’s chaotic life and lack of responsibilities.¹¹

Through a series of comedic events, they both come to appreciate the challenges and rewards of their own lives and the lives of others. The film culminates in them finding a way to switch back and return to their own bodies, with a newfound understanding and appreciation for each other and their own lives.