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18 Again!
18 Again!
18 Again!
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18 Again!
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPaul Flaherty
Written byJosh Goldstein
Jonathan Prince
Produced byWalter Coblenz
Starring
CinematographyStephen M. Katz
Edited byDanford B. Greene
Music byBilly Goldenberg
Distributed byNew World Pictures
Release date
  • April 8, 1988 (1988-04-08)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2.5 million[1]

18 Again! is a 1988 American fantasy-comedy film directed by Paul Flaherty and starring George Burns and Charlie Schlatter. The plot involves a college student switching souls with his grandfather by means of an accident. The film is based on the song "I Wish I Was Eighteen Again" written by Sonny Throckmorton and recorded by Burns in 1979.

Plot

[edit]

Jack Watson is a millionaire playboy and businessman who is about to turn 81 years old just as his grandson David is about to turn 18, but Jack laments his old age and wishes to get back to his teens once more. When an accident switches their souls, Jack gets to live his grandson's life and all that it entails: school, sports, and romance. Unfortunately, David gets the "short end of the deal", as not only is he trapped in his grandfather's 81-year-old body, but he is also in a coma. The only one who knows the truth is his longtime friend Charlie, whom Jack was able to convince by recounting experiences only they knew.

Jack gets to approach his family from a fresh point of view and doesn't always like what he sees: he's been a distant parent for his son Arnie and has repeatedly disregarded his ideas for improving the family company. The college fraternity that he coerced David into joining (his old alma mater) is bullying him on a regular basis and forcing him to write their test finals for them. He also finds out that his girlfriend Madeline is unfaithful when she tries to seduce him, thinking he's Jack's grandson. Deciding to set things right, Jack in David's body decides to take charge by convincing his father (or rather, Jack's son) to implement his ideas on the family business and uses his poker playing skills to beat the frat boys while betting $1000 that he will beat the lead frat boy Russ in the upcoming track meet. Jack also impresses a girl named Robin, who is taken with David's old-fashioned style with bow ties and his vividly recounting the Second World War and meeting President Harry S. Truman.

However, Jack realizes too late that he has willed half of everything to Madeline, who convinces Arnie and his wife to disconnect Jack's 81-year-old body from life support. Knowing that this will kill David, Jack and Charlie rush to the hospital to prevent this, wheeling Jack's body away from an orderly. When they crash in the hospital chapel, Jack and David's minds are returned to their rightful bodies, and Jack awakens. Jack still has unfinished business, as in David's body he challenged the fraternity president to a race, and now David must face him.

Jack gives David a pep talk, and David beats the frat president. Jack then encourages David to pursue an interested Robin. In private, Jack tells Arnie that his greatest mistake was trying to get him and David to relive his own life, and encourages Arnie to nurture David's interest in art, which Jack will do as well by getting David involved in the graphic design aspect of the family business. Finally, Jack confronts Madeline by saying he knows that she made a pass at David and is well aware that she is a gold digger only interested in his bank account. He throws her out of the house and lets her know that he has rewritten his will to include his family and his faithful butler Horton, whom he promptly orders to have Madeline thrown out. Robin and David start their relationship, and the movie finishes with Jack telling David everything about Harry S. Truman.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The film was announced under the working title of Eighteen Again with George Burns set to star and inspired by Burns' recording of the song I Wish I Was Eighteen Again.[2]

Reception

[edit]

Roger Ebert gives the film a score of 1 and a half out of 4. He compares it to Like Father Like Son and Vice Versa, calling Vice Versa the best of the three, by far. He stated, "The whole project seems to have been enveloped in a miasma of good intentions and heartwarming sentiments. There’s no edge, no bite and none of the inspired body language that made 'Vice Versa' so special. The movie makes no attempt to really imagine what it would be like to inhabit another body; it just springs the gimmick on us and starts unreeling its sitcom plot. Although Burns is, of course, a beloved institution, and any opportunity to see him is welcome, he is not given much to do in the movie, and he doesn’t do much with it...No real effort has been made to find any differences between Burns and the character he plays in this movie."[3]

Janet Maslin was critical of the film for leaving George Burns in a coma when he is who the audience came to see, and says that it "isn't successfully aimed at anyone in particular".[4]

18 Again! holds a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 7 reviews.[5] Review aggregator website, Metacritic, gives the film a 32/100 based on 10 reviews.[6]

References

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18 Again!

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
18 Again! is a 1988 American film directed by Paul Flaherty and starring as an 81-year-old businessman who swaps bodies with his 18-year-old grandson following a car accident on his birthday. The movie explores themes of youth, wisdom, and family through the body-swap premise, with Burns portraying the grandfather in the young body and as the grandson in the elderly one. The plot centers on Jack Watson, a wealthy but curmudgeonly played by Burns, who attends his 81st birthday party and jokingly wishes to be . After a car accident while riding with his grandson , Jack awakens in David's youthful body at , while David inhabits Jack's aging form back home. This switch allows Jack to relive his youth, pursue romance, and impart life lessons, all while navigating the challenges of adolescence from his experienced perspective. Supporting roles include Tony Roberts as Jack's son and company executive, as a love interest, and as a member, adding layers to the familial and comedic dynamics. Released by , 18 Again! draws comparisons to other body-swap films of the era like Vice Versa (1988), emphasizing feel-good humor and generational reconciliation. It received mixed reviews, with critics praising Burns' charismatic performance but critiquing the script's predictability and uneven pacing. On , it holds a 29% approval rating based on seven reviews, noted for its lighthearted take on aging despite some dated elements. The film has since become a cult favorite for fans of 1980s comedies, available on streaming platforms like .

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

Jack Watson is an 81-year-old millionaire businessman whose relationships with his family are strained, particularly with his son Arnie, as evidenced by their limited communication and unresolved past conflicts during a family gathering. After a car accident on his 81st birthday while driving with his 18-year-old grandson David, Jack and David inexplicably swap bodies, with Jack awakening in David's youthful form and David in Jack's elderly one. In 's body, Jack navigates the challenges of college life with his characteristic wisecracking wit, quickly adapting to excel academically and athletically; he confronts the bullies pressuring , joins the track , and leads them to victory in a pivotal meet against rivals, while pursuing a romance with David's girlfriend Robin by offering straightforward advice and confidence that David lacked. Meanwhile, , inhabiting Jack's body while it recovers in , grapples with family issues, including preventing Jack's gold-digging associate from disconnecting his , forcing him to confront his own insecurities and begin repairing his distant relationship with Arnie by expressing long-buried regrets and apologies. As the swapped lives unfold, hospital scenes reveal the duo communicating their predicament and coordinating efforts to resolve personal and professional dilemmas, emphasizing themes of youth's vitality, the weight of age-related regrets, and the value of second chances. The body swap eventually reverses through another accident in the hospital chapel, allowing the family to reconcile fully, with Jack imparting profound wisdom from his temporary youth to inspire lasting unity and appreciation among his loved ones before reflecting on life's fleeting opportunities.

Cast

The lead roles in 18 Again! are portrayed by George Burns and Charlie Schlatter, who each perform dual identities central to the film's body-swap premise, enabling comedic contrasts between youthful energy and seasoned wisdom. George Burns plays Jack Watson, an 81-year-old businessman, as well as Jack inhabiting the body of his grandson David, marking Burns' final major leading film role before his cameo in Radioland Murders (1994). Charlie Schlatter portrays David Watson, an 18-year-old college student, and David in Jack's elderly body, delivering a breakout performance that showcases his versatility in mimicking Burns' mannerisms and humor. Supporting the leads is an ensemble cast that fleshes out the family and professional dynamics. Tony Roberts stars as Arnold "Arnie" Watson, Jack's pragmatic son and company executive. appears as Charlie, Jack's wisecracking best friend. portrays Betty Watson, Arnie's wife and David's mother. rounds out the supporting roles as Mr. Thormann, Jack's quirky business associate. Notable minor roles include as Phil, a colleague in the business world; as Robin, David's girlfriend; and as the college coach, contributing to the film's comedic and relational subplots. Other appearances, such as as Madeline and as Barrett, add layers to the ensemble without overshadowing the central dual performances.

Production

Development

The development of 18 Again! originated as a starring vehicle for veteran comedian , drawing direct inspiration from his 1980 country music hit single "I Wish I Was 18 Again," which peaked at number 15 on the chart. The film's body-swap premise, involving an elderly man exchanging bodies with his teenage grandson, echoed the comedic tropes of earlier films like (1976), but was tailored to highlight Burns' signature wit and persona as a wisecracking nonagenarian. The screenplay was penned by television writers and Josh Goldstein, with Burns personally enlisting Prince to co-write the project, marking Prince's feature film writing debut. A draft of the script was completed by August 17, 1987, reflecting the project's momentum in the mid-1980s scene. Development proceeded under , the independent studio founded by , known for producing and distributing low-budget genre films to capitalize on niche markets. Paul Flaherty was attached as director, bringing his experience from television comedy sketches on shows like SCTV Network to helm this feel-good body-swap comedy aimed at late-1980s audiences seeking lighthearted escapism. Casting centered on Burns, selected for his advanced age—91 at the time of filming—and his established charm as a performer who could deliver wry narration and humor from both the elder and youthful perspectives. For the role of the grandson David Watson, newcomer , then 21, was chosen after auditioning, his energetic screen presence providing a stark contrast to Burns' seasoned delivery and helping to underscore the film's themes of generational reversal. The production was positioned as a modest low-budget endeavor, with targeting affordable, uplifting comedies featuring veteran stars. The project received approval in 1987 ahead of .

Filming

Principal photography for 18 Again! took place in 1987 in , . Filming utilized various local sites to depict the story's contrasting adult business world and youthful college environment, including the in for college footage and Junior High School in Hollywood for locker room sequences. The production wrapped in time for the film's April 1988 release, with Stephen M. Katz overseeing the visual style through techniques suited to the comedy's body-swap premise.

Release and Distribution

Premiere

18 Again! had its world premiere on April 8, 1988, in the United States, distributed by with a limited theatrical rollout beginning in major cities such as New York. The film opened amid a wave of 1980s body-swap comedies, positioning itself as a lighthearted fantasy leveraging the enduring appeal of its lead, . Marketing efforts centered on Burns' star power and the film's humorous premise of an elderly man swapping bodies with his grandson, prominently featuring Burns' 1980 "I Wish I Was 18 Again," which inspired the title and underscored themes of youth and regret. Trailers highlighted the comedic body-swap elements and Burns' charismatic performance, while posters depicted the actor in youthful scenarios to evoke the story's fantastical twist. The campaign emphasized Burns' late-career resurgence, portraying the film as a feel-good vehicle for the 92-year-old icon. Promotional activities included Burns' media appearances, such as a March 5, 1988, interview where he discussed the film, showcasing his wit and tying into his ongoing public as a timeless entertainer. These efforts focused on talk shows and interviews to promote the movie's release, capitalizing on Burns' history of successful comebacks in films like Oh, God!. The film received a PG rating from the MPAA for mild language and thematic elements involving family dynamics and mild fantasy violence. Distribution prioritized the U.S. market, with international releases following in 1988 and 1989 through subsidiaries, including on May 5, 1988, and on July 28, 1988; no major foreign premiere events were documented.

Box Office Performance

18 Again! opened in across 1,152 theaters on April 8, , earning $1,475,645 during its opening weekend. The film ultimately grossed $2,567,099 domestically, representing its entire worldwide total with no reported international earnings from a limited or absent overseas release. Released during a competitive year for comedies in 1988, including major hits like Big ($114.6 million domestic) and Coming to America ($128.8 million domestic), 18 Again! underperformed relative to broader market expectations but contributed to the era's body-swap genre trend.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Upon its release in 1988, 18 Again! received mixed reviews from critics, who often praised the charm of star George Burns while critiquing the film's reliance on familiar tropes. Roger Ebert awarded it 2 out of 4 stars, noting the predictable plot and lack of originality in the body-swap premise, describing it as a "heartwarming but uninspired" sitcom-style comedy that failed to deeply explore its central gimmick. Similarly, Janet Maslin of The New York Times highlighted Burns as a "welcome presence" delivering "amiable geriatric humor," but found the overall execution lacking depth beyond his occasional one-liners. The Los Angeles Times was more dismissive, calling the film "relentlessly unfunny" and faulting its superficial handling of the soul-switching concept. Critics frequently lauded Burns for his wit and impeccable comic timing, crediting his performance with elevating the material despite its flaws; the Orlando Sentinel described the movie as "a little better than its premise suggests," attributing this largely to Burns' engaging presence. was seen as capable in portraying the dual roles, particularly in mimicking Burns' mannerisms, though reviewers noted he was often overshadowed by the veteran comedian's star power. Supporting cast members, including as a comic-relief friend to the elder character, were appreciated for providing occasional bursts of levity amid the formulaic proceedings. Common criticisms centered on the clichéd body-swap trope, uneven pacing that juxtaposed sluggish business-world scenes with rushed teen antics, and dated that underscored the film's low-budget feel. Ebert specifically pointed out the absence of fresh insights into inhabiting another body, reducing the to a series of predictable gags. In retrospective aggregations, 18 Again! holds a 29% approval rating on based on 7 critic reviews, reflecting the initial lukewarm response, while its Metascore of 32 out of 100 from 10 reviews indicates general disapproval. Audience scores are higher at 45% on , suggesting nostalgic appeal for Burns' fans and the lighthearted vibe. The film's modest performance limited its awards consideration, further muting its critical legacy.

Cultural Impact

The film received a VHS release in the United States on August 30, 1988, distributed by Video. A DVD edition followed on March 19, 2002, issued by following the studio's handling of ' library. By 2025, it became available for free streaming on ad-supported platforms including . It can also be rented or purchased digitally on services like Amazon Video. In the body-swap genre, 18 Again! contributed to the trope's popularity during the late wave of comedies, sharing thematic elements of generational perspective-swapping with later entries like 17 Again (2009), where an adult revisits youth to rectify life choices. The film's featured ' 1980 recording of "I Wish I Was 18 Again," which saw renewed exposure through its prominent placement, reinforcing the wistful theme of aging and regret. The movie has appeared in retrospectives on Burns' post-Oh, God! , highlighting his shift to whimsical fantasy roles that leveraged his avuncular after the 1977-1984 series. It received occasional broadcasts in the United States during the and , contributing to its enduring visibility as light family entertainment. By 2025, 18 Again! is regarded as a minor classic of 1980s feel-good comedy, appreciated for its intergenerational humor and accessible premise suitable for family audiences. Fan discussions on platforms like often praise its nostalgic, lighthearted charm despite uneven execution. Burns' performance marked one of his final leading roles, released eight years before his death in 1996 at age 100, solidifying his status as Hollywood's enduring elder comic figure.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094593/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/18_again
  3. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/18-again-1988
  4. https://www.netflix.com/title/60024220
  5. https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/18-again/umc.cmc.6egnmb6xmktukkr6lkc0b20bv
  6. https://www.moriareviews.com/fantasy/18-again-1988.htm
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094593/plotsummary/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094593/fullcredits/
  9. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-04-08-ca-942-story.html
  10. https://eightiesmovies.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/18-again/
  11. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/18_again/cast-and-crew
  12. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/38965-18-again/cast
  13. https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/body-swap-movie-list-freaky
  14. https://www.liveabout.com/biography-of-george-burns-4164006
  15. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/57979
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094593/locations/
  17. https://www.fast-rewind.com/locations_18again.htm
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094593/releaseinfo/
  19. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/18-again%21/
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZrvU4z-Z4E
  21. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1988/04/12/18-again-a-nice-nod-to-burns/
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz3xHPnGvXY
  23. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1988/11/29/george-burns-for-the-love-of-gracie/8299d3c1-d8a7-4d7c-a4b7-3aac3df2c4b1/
  24. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1988/
  25. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/18-Again
  26. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0094593/
  27. https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1988/top-grossing-movies
  28. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/04/08/movies/review-film-george-burns-in-body-mind-switch.html
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhlh__h26Vg
  30. https://tubitv.com/movies/485775/18-again
  31. https://www.amazon.com/18-Again/dp/B00O35PD9G
  32. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/dec/10/the-20-best-body-swap-films-ranked
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094593/soundtrack/
  34. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/11/25/George-Burns-on-living-and-loving-Gracie/3597596437200/
  35. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/18-again/2000044817/
  36. https://letterboxd.com/film/18-again/reviews/
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