Interprete Me

To start talking about The Princess Switch, one must remember all the cinematographic clichés about identical people who change places. There is a gigantic number of movies with the same theme.

Netflix, however, thought it wasn’t enough, and decided to produce this version with the talented Vanessa Hudgens starring in both roles (watch here).

That being said, it’s interesting to note how all these films that involve role-swapping are identical in their narrative form. In The Princess Switch this plot is inserted in the context of the Christmas season, where several magical things happen, and the story can seem more credible. Although it is quite predictable, the film amuses, provoking a few laughs and also bringing a cute story that matches the Christmas mood.

Swapped identity

In The Princess Switch, we meet Stacy, a very competent potter who lives in Chicago. She wins a ticket to compete in a contest in another country, which she readily accepts for believing it’s a chance to grow in her career. She is engaged to a boy she likes a lot but is not sure if he’s the right person for her. Upon arriving at this new place, she happens to meet the Duchess of Montenaro, named Margaret. When they cross, they are frightened by the resemblance between them. In fact, they look like sisters. Margaret is tired of the royalty life. Being engaged, she’s not sure if she should marry either. So, she has the bright idea of exchanging places with her look-alike for two days, so that one knows the routine of the other. Of course, this idea has its pros and cons, and that’s where the entertainment comes in.

Hudgens is superb in the double role she plays in The Princess Switch. Both as Stacy and Duchess Margaret, she can pass on an image of sweetness and charm, traits that accompany the actress and singer from the time of her media explosion, when she was part of the cast of Disney “High School Musical” in the 2000s. Here, more mature as an actress, she does well on both sides, provoking laughter at her inadequacy after the exchange of roles: Margaret doesn’t know how to fry an egg, which arouses the suspicion of her family that accompanies her in the travel, while Stacy’s simple manners stupefy the royal family.

In the meantime, the two end up finding each other’s respective bridegrooms, which creates a tension and a new hypothesis of resolution to the doubts that each one finds about the marriage. Of course, they don’t do it without help: they have a friend from Margaret’s Royal House who provides the exchange and helps to keep up appearances. The interaction between these three characters, in addition to the chemistry that arises between the couples, is what brings amusement to the film.

Cliché, but interesting

With this, it is possible to conclude that The Princess Switch is stuffed of clichés, both those of “identity swap” as well as those directed towards Christmas, but that is done with so much care that ends up being pardoned. The film, directed by Mike Rohl, is a succession of commonplaces and situations that we may swear we’ve seen before in similar movies, but that has its magic and enchantment due to the charisma of Hudgens, and the story, which is quite nice.

The conclusion of the movie is quite predictable, but that doesn’t disturb the result. For those who like movies that involve the Christmas magic, this is a must-watch – so much that it can be easily displayed during the Christmas Eve dinner. It’s a good option.

Images and additional information about The Princess Switch Netflix

Synopsis 1: Stacy makes delicious confections. Her look-alike has royal connections. Swapping lives gives both a taste of what they’re missing.

Synopsis 2: When a down-to-earth Chicago baker and a soon-to-be-princess discover they look like twins, they hatch a Christmastime plan to trade places.

Age rating: Everyone

Release year: 2018