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) reveals strategically placed plot construction, characteristic of Brian Gilbert's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-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 Charlie is a workaholic department store executive, distant from his 11-year-old son Charlie. We see their strained relationship as Charlie prioritizes business over his son.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Charlie receives a mysterious Tibetan skull as a gift from his ex-wife. The skull has mystical properties that will soon turn their lives upside down.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The body swap occurs. Father and son wake up in each other's bodies, forcing them into each other's worlds. There's no going back to normal life., moving from reaction to action.
The Collapse moment at 74 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The skull is stolen by the criminals. Their hope of switching back appears lost forever. They face the devastating possibility of being trapped in each other's bodies permanently., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 79 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. The finale: Father and son team up to outsmart the criminals and recover the skull. They use their newfound understanding of each other's worlds to succeed where they would have failed before. They switch back to their own bodies., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Vice Versa's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 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 Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Brian Gilbert analyses, see Not Without My Daughter.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Charlie is a workaholic department store executive, distant from his 11-year-old son Charlie. We see their strained relationship as Charlie prioritizes business over his son.
Theme
Charlie's son expresses frustration about his father not understanding what it's like to be a kid, and Charlie dismisses his son's concerns, establishing the theme of perspective and empathy.
Worldbuilding
We see Charlie's demanding career at the department store, his contentious relationship with his ex-wife, and his weekend custody arrangement with his son. The boy feels neglected and misunderstood.
Disruption
Charlie receives a mysterious Tibetan skull as a gift from his ex-wife. The skull has mystical properties that will soon turn their lives upside down.
Resistance
Father and son argue and both wish they could switch places. The mystical skull glows, but they don't yet realize what's about to happen. Tension builds between them over Charlie's work priorities.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The body swap occurs. Father and son wake up in each other's bodies, forcing them into each other's worlds. There's no going back to normal life.
Mirror World
Each must navigate the other's relationships - Charlie (in his son's body) with school friends and teachers, and young Charlie (in his dad's body) with business colleagues and romantic interests.
Premise
The fun and games of the body swap: adult Charlie struggling with school bullies and homework, kid Charlie trying to navigate corporate politics and adult responsibilities. Comedy ensues as each fails spectacularly at the other's life.
Opposition
Criminals are after the valuable skull. The pressure intensifies as they must maintain their charades while being hunted. Their initial successes turn into complications as they're forced to handle major life events in the wrong bodies.
Collapse
The skull is stolen by the criminals. Their hope of switching back appears lost forever. They face the devastating possibility of being trapped in each other's bodies permanently.
Crisis
Father and son have an emotional moment where they realize that even if they can't switch back, they've learned to appreciate each other. The experience has given them the empathy they lacked.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The finale: Father and son team up to outsmart the criminals and recover the skull. They use their newfound understanding of each other's worlds to succeed where they would have failed before. They switch back to their own bodies.