Blake Edwards' Switch

Switch Poster

In 1991 Blake Edwards of Breakfast at Tiffany's and Pink Panter fame made his first and only gender bender movie: Switch. 

He did not do this because he was a crossdreamer (I think) or because he was into TG fiction, but because he believed putting a male chauvinist into a sexy woman's body would make for great comedy.

And in one way it did.  Edward's managed to expose the hollowness of gender stereotypes.

Unfortunately he did so by reaffirming them. Steve is a misogynistic, homophobic, jerk, even as a woman. Even the ending, where child birth gives room for real love, only serves to confirm what people already think they know about men and women.

Ellen Barkin as Steve

It is interesting to see how the sex change scenario plays out in the same way as it often does in TG caps and TG erotic movies, though.

You know: shock replaced by curiosity replaced by mischievous delight. It is as if this kind of scenario has its own logic that can have only one outcome.

It is interesting to see what a master of cinema can do when presenting such a scene, though, and how an actor like Ellen Barkin can present shock and confusion.

Steve Brooks is murdered by his ex-girfriends. In purgatory the bigendered (!) God decides to give him another chance and sends him back.

The Devil, however, argues that Steve belongs to him, and suggest a compromise. Steve is to be allowed another chance, as a woman.

Below find a clip from the beginning of the film, where Steve finally realizes what has happened to him.




 
Download clip.

You can see the trailer over at AllMovie.