At the bustling law firm of Schuylar Mifflin, we find Roger Cobb, portrayed by Steve Martin, who has spent eleven long years as a lawyer, yet sees no promising future ahead. Consumed by his work, he's burning the candle at both ends, tirelessly toiling late into the night. His heart, however, beats for something far more expressive than legal jargon—he's passionate about strumming his guitar in the Fulton Norris Orchestra, led by Gailard Sartain. One fateful night, the weight of exhaustion takes its toll, and after dozing off at his desk, he rushes to perform a solo gig at a nightclub, only to succumb to slumber once more while on stage.
As dawn breaks on his 38th birthday, his girlfriend Peggy Schuyler (played by Madolyn Smith Osborne) surprises him with a unique gift: an African grave post. Their conversation veers toward "the m word," hinting at marriage, but Roger’s lack of enthusiasm reveals his reluctance to commit. Arriving late to the law firm—his workplace, thanks to Peggy's father—Roger and his faithful dog Bix encounter their blind musician friend Tyrone Wattell (portrayed by Jason Bernard) playing his saxophone. As Roger confides in Tyrone about his decision to abandon music for a law career, Tyrone warns him against such a choice, predicting a loss of himself in the process.
In the opulence of a grand estate, Dr. Betty Ahrens (played by Peggy Feury) provides devastating news to the ailing millionaire Edwina Cutwater, portrayed by Lily Tomlin, who has lived in frailty due to chronic heart issues and has officially reached the end of her days. Edwina beckons to the senior partner Burton Schuyler (played by Dana Elcar) to finalize her affairs. Amidst the chaos, Burton juggles his affair with Gretchen (Neva Patterson) and the impending fallout from his wife's divorce demands that add pressure to his already compromised situation.
When Roger finally arrives at the office, his secretary Margot (portrayed by Selma Diamond) reads a litany of client messages, leading him to seek a partnership with Burton. Quitting the band and buying a vest signals his commitment to the firm, prompting Burton to test Roger’s resolve by sending him to Edwina’s estate. Upon meeting Edwina, Roger learns she intends to leave her vast fortune to Terry Hoskins (played by Victoria Tennant), the mere daughter of her stable hand, while simultaneously engaging in a bizarre plan involving a guru named Prahka Lasa (played by Richard Libertini) who will transfer her soul into Terry's youthful and healthy body.
In a fit of defiance, Roger attempts to contest Edwina’s sanity, yet his words provoke her ire, leading to a slap and a wave of insults that expose her domineering nature. An argument ensues, during which Edwina calls forth her staff as she plans a luxurious outing, highlighting her extravagant lifestyle. When the mysterious transpiration of events leads to Edwina collapsing, confusion reigns as the chaos surrounding her passing culminates in Roger’s unwitting possession of Edwina’s soul just as he steps out of the building.
The unexpected journey illuminates their shared struggles and peculiar connection. As the day advances, they navigate the challenges of their unique predicament—their bodily coordination is anything but seamless—requiring Roger and Edwina to collaborate through the most basic of tasks, such as using the restroom.
Amidst court appearances, family drama, and the juxtaposition of their personalities, Edwina grapples with newfound freedom and Roger wrestles with the burdens of his past and his marriage to Peggy. They meet a host of eclectic characters and navigate the absurdities of social gatherings—with their symbiotic existence often leading to comedic and poignant moments.
The narrative thickens at Edwina’s memorial as emotions run high, Roger's heart and mind blossoming with a clarity that had long been buried beneath layers of expectation and self-doubt. The emotional culmination arrives as they face the heartwarming realization of living life anew, expressing love and friendship in ways neither had ever contemplated.
As the quirky and heartwarming adventure unfolds from the mundane legal life to the bizarre realm of body swaps, Roger and Edwina find the true essence of identity and connection—not just in a fleeting moment of passion, but in an enduring bond that transcends the barriers of existence. Embarking on a journey that reflects both the comedy and poignancy of life, they ultimately discover joy through adversity, rendering them forever changed by an experience that underscores the beauty of friendship and the complexity of human emotions.
