Vice Versa
Upon returning from a buying trip abroad for the department store he works at, a divorced executive named Marshall finds he is in possession of a strange ornamental skull. He is looking after his 11-year-old son, Charlie, for a few days. The skull has special powers, and when Marshall and Charlie simultaneously wish they were each other's age, they switch bodies. Now Charlie has to go to work, and Marshall has go to school. Charlie also has to deal with Marshall's girlfriend, Sam. If that wasn't enough a pair of smugglers are in pursuit of the skull.
The film earned $13.7M at the global box office.
1 win & 5 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Vice Versa (1988) showcases precise plot construction, characteristic of Brian Gilbert's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 38 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.0, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Marshall Seymour rushes through his hectic life as a department store VP, juggling work calls while picking up his son Charlie for a custody visit, establishing him as a workaholic father disconnected from childhood.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Marshall and Charlie simultaneously touch the mystical Thai skull while each wishes to be the other, triggering the supernatural body swap that transforms their lives completely.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Marshall and Charlie make the active choice to impersonate each other rather than reveal the truth - Marshall (in Charlie's body) heads to school while Charlie (in Marshall's body) goes to the department store., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat False victory: Charlie successfully handles a major presentation at work while Marshall wins respect at school. Both seem to be mastering each other's worlds, but the criminals tracking the skull are closing in, raising the stakes., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The criminals capture Charlie (in Marshall's body), threatening real harm. Marshall fears he may lose his son forever, and the swap that seemed like an adventure now carries life-or-death consequences - a whiff of death for the father-son bond., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 82% of the runtime. Marshall realizes he must use his adult knowledge combined with a child's resourcefulness to rescue his son. He synthesizes both perspectives - the wisdom of adulthood and the creativity of childhood - to mount a rescue., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Vice Versa's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Vice Versa against these established plot points, we can identify how Brian Gilbert utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Vice Versa within the comedy genre.
Brian Gilbert's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Brian Gilbert films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Vice Versa takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Brian Gilbert filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Brian Gilbert analyses, see Not Without My Daughter.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Marshall Seymour rushes through his hectic life as a department store VP, juggling work calls while picking up his son Charlie for a custody visit, establishing him as a workaholic father disconnected from childhood.
Theme
Charlie complains about adult privileges while Marshall dismisses the difficulties of being a kid, with dialogue suggesting "You don't know what it's like" - establishing the theme that neither understands the other's world.
Worldbuilding
We meet Marshall's chaotic work environment at the department store, Charlie's frustrations with being treated like a child, Uncle Robyn returning from Thailand with the mystical skull, and the criminals Turk and Juice pursuing the artifact.
Disruption
Marshall and Charlie simultaneously touch the mystical Thai skull while each wishes to be the other, triggering the supernatural body swap that transforms their lives completely.
Resistance
Father and son wake up in each other's bodies and struggle to comprehend what happened. They debate what to do, try to reverse the swap unsuccessfully, and realize they must live each other's lives until they can find a solution.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Marshall and Charlie make the active choice to impersonate each other rather than reveal the truth - Marshall (in Charlie's body) heads to school while Charlie (in Marshall's body) goes to the department store.
Mirror World
Charlie, inhabiting his father's body, begins interacting with Marshall's colleague Sam, developing a subplot that carries the theme of authenticity versus the facades adults maintain in professional life.
Premise
The fun and games of the body swap premise play out: Charlie runs business meetings with childlike directness, Marshall endures school bullies and homework, each gaining perspective on the other's daily challenges while navigating comic mishaps.
Midpoint
False victory: Charlie successfully handles a major presentation at work while Marshall wins respect at school. Both seem to be mastering each other's worlds, but the criminals tracking the skull are closing in, raising the stakes.
Opposition
Turk and Juice intensify their pursuit of the skull. Marshall's boss Avery grows suspicious of "Marshall's" erratic behavior. The swap's complications multiply as both struggle to maintain their deceptions while the danger escalates.
Collapse
The criminals capture Charlie (in Marshall's body), threatening real harm. Marshall fears he may lose his son forever, and the swap that seemed like an adventure now carries life-or-death consequences - a whiff of death for the father-son bond.
Crisis
Marshall, trapped in his son's small body, must process the terror of potentially losing Charlie. He realizes how much he's taken their relationship for granted and how his workaholic nature has kept them apart.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Marshall realizes he must use his adult knowledge combined with a child's resourcefulness to rescue his son. He synthesizes both perspectives - the wisdom of adulthood and the creativity of childhood - to mount a rescue.
Synthesis
Marshall orchestrates Charlie's rescue from the criminals. In the climactic confrontation, they recover the skull and both touch it while genuinely wishing to appreciate their own lives, successfully reversing the swap.
Transformation
Marshall and Charlie, restored to their own bodies, embrace with newfound understanding. Marshall commits to being present as a father, and Charlie appreciates adult responsibilities - mirroring the opening disconnect with genuine connection.