The Fourth Annual James Proclaims Advent Calendar of Christmas(ish) Films – Door 1

As if by magic December 2020 is upon us. And so must begin, whether anyone wants it to or not, The Fourth Annual James Proclaims Advent Calendar of Christmas(ish) Films.

And to kick off this year’s festive countdown of films, is a movie that really highlights the difference between the worldviews of children and adults. For it is none other than 1988’s Vice Versa starring Judge Reinhold and Fred Savage. I don’t speak of the plot, though it does centre on the premise of a father and son magically switching places, but rather of my own worldviews. Or at least my cinematic tastes.

For, when I was a child, I genuinely, for a time, believed this to be the greatest movie ever made.

But as an adult I can see that it isn’t.

It’s derivative and entirely unoriginal and the plot is problematic on multiple levels.

That said, I still quite like it and, while the stars of neither Judge Reinhold nor Fred Savage are shining as brightly as they did back in the eighties, it’s eminently hard to dislike either of them.

Score for Christmasishness

It’s set in the build-up to Christmas and concludes in late December albeit prior to the actual festivities. However there is a Christmas tree, which is relevant to the plot. A stuffed reindeer features, which also contributes to the narrative. Christmas decorations and lights are plentiful throughout and, while the film could really be set at any time of year, it does feel quite Christmas(ish) at times.