Switch
HBO Home Video
Cast: Ellen Barkin, Lorraine Bracco, Jimmy Smits, JoBeth Williams
Extras: Theatrical Trailer, Biographies
Rating:
Steve Brooks, a notorious lady’s man and chauvinist has had one affair too many. Extremely unpopular among his countless former flames, Steve is one day invited to a party at one of his girlfriends’ place. What appears to be a sensual private party soon turns out to be a plot to kill him and when he knock’s on Heaven’s Door, God isn’t sure whether to let him go to Heaven or Hell. In order to prove his worth, Steve has to return to Earth and find a single female that actually likes him.
The twist is that he returns as a woman, a hot blonde to be exact. Quickly he learns how degrading a life as a woman can be while he tries to find his absolution.
’Switch’ is a hilarious comedy from legendary director Blake Edwards, who also brought us films like ’Breakfast At Tiffany’s’ or many of the ’Pink Panther’ comedies. It is a bit dated due to its many late-80s references, such as the music, the clothing and the hairstyles, but nonetheless, you will have a blast watching this incredibly witty and funny ’turn of the tables.’
HBO Home Video presents ’Switch’ in a clean 16×9 enhanced widescreen transfer. Although occasional scratches are visible, the transfer has a stable quality throughout. There is quite a bit of grain evident in the presentation and the transfer appears soft a times, losing some of its detail. Don’t worry, though. For the most part you will be so caught up in the story that you won’t even notice. Colors are strong and well defined, and with its deep blacks, the image has good visual depth. No compression artifacts are evident in the presentation.
The audio on the DVD comes in the form of a good Dolby Surround track. Although not spectacular, the track has good dynamics and a natural frequency response. Dialogues are well integrated, always understandable, and without distortion.
’Switch’ is a solid release of a great film. Though some additional extras would have become the release quite well, it is great to see the film on this good-looking DVD.
