A Saintly Switch

A Saintly Switch

Year: 1999

Runtime: 88 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter Bogdanovich

FantasyFamilyComedy

After a stressful move to a Victorian house in New Orleans, a couple on the brink of divorce finds their children have unintentionally swapped their souls. Sara serves as breadwinner, while Dan experiences pregnancy and learns to connect with his kids. The role reversal forces them to walk in each other’s shoes, rekindling respect.

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Timeline & Setting – A Saintly Switch (1999)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Saintly Switch (1999). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

New Orleans, Louisiana

The story is set in New Orleans, where the Anderson family relocates for Dan's NFL position with the Saints. They move into a dilapidated mansion that ties into local voodoo lore, a centerpiece in the film's magical premise. The city’s vibrant culture and football culture frame the protagonists’ personal upheavals and the dramatic football arc. The mansion and attic serve as the focal magical locations driving the body-switch events.

🏙️ City 🏈 Sports city 🪄 Voodoo lore

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:44

Main Characters – A Saintly Switch (1999)

Meet the key characters of A Saintly Switch (1999), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dan Anderson (David Alan Grier)

A aging NFL quarterback whose career and ego strain his marriage. After the body swap, he must juggle household duties, a surprising pregnancy, and parenting, gaining a deeper appreciation for Sara’s daily life and the Saints’ world beyond the field.

🏈 NFL Star 👔 Marital Strife 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family man

Sara Anderson (Vivica A. Fox)

A stay-at-home mom who, in Dan’s body, takes on coaching duties and domestic tasks she previously left to Dan. Through the swap, she refines organizational skills, forms stronger bonds with the kids, and develops a new respect for the demands of his career.

👩‍👧‍👦 Family 🏈 Football 🧭 Growth

Annette Anderson

The perceptive preteen daughter who, along with her brother and a babysitter, uncovers the attic spell. She becomes a key catalyst for the parents’ journey toward understanding each other and fixing their family.

👧 Family 🗝️ Discovery 🧠 Insight

Clark Anderson

The preteen son who notices the upheaval caused by the body swap and helps navigate the situation with his sister and the babysitter. His awareness underscores the child-centered stakes of the family’s chaos and eventual growth.

🧒 Family 👀 Observant 🧩 Plot mover

Babysitter

The responsible babysitter who explains the spell’s rules to the family, including the condition that the reversal will occur only when the parents truly understand each other. She serves as a guide through the magical mechanism driving the plot.

👶 Caregiver 🧭 Rules of magic 🗣️ Translator

Voodoo Sorceress

A resident voodoo sorceress connected to the mansion’s history, who reveals that the house once belonged to the area’s most powerful sorceress. Her presence grounds the magical elements of the story in local folklore.

🪄 Folklore 🧙 Mystery 🧭 Local lore

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:44

Major Themes – A Saintly Switch (1999)

Explore the central themes of A Saintly Switch (1999), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💞 Family & Roles

The body swap forces Dan and Sara to temporarily live each other’s lives, exposing the daily pressures and responsibilities each faces. Through this swap, they gain empathy and a deeper appreciation for the other’s sacrifices. Their evolving understanding fuels reconciliation and redefines what each role means within the family.

🏈 Football & Identity

Dan’s identity as a star quarterback is challenged as he experiences life from Sara’s perspective and the pregnancy. Sara, stepping into the football world, discovers new motivational tactics and leadership techniques that boost team performance. The sport becomes a lens to explore gender roles and capability.

❤️ Love & Communication

Key to reversing the spell is honest communication and emotional connection. A kiss, born from true understanding, signals the couple’s growth more than any argument or plan. The film frames romance as a catalyst for personal change and family unity.

🔄 Perspective & Reversal

Living in each other’s bodies highlights how small actions and daily chores shape relationships. The children’ awareness and the babysitter’s guidance reveal that true reversal comes from mutual respect and empathy. The narrative suggests perspective shifts can mend complex marital rifts.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:44

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A Saintly Switch Summary

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A Saintly Switch Timeline

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A Saintly Switch Spoiler-Free Summary

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A Saintly Switch (1999) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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