The Princess Switch
| The Princess Switch | |
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 Official release poster | |
| Directed by | Mike Rohl |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Charles Norris |
| Music by | Terry Frewer |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
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Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Princess Switch is a 2018 American Christmas romantic comedy film directed by Mike Rohl from a screenplay by Robin Bernheim and Megan Metzger. The film stars Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, and Nick Sagar.
The film's concept of two people who look identical running into one another and switching places comes from Mark Twain's 1881 novel The Prince and the Pauper.
It was released on November 16, 2018, by Netflix. The film is the first installment in The Princess Switch trilogy. It was followed by a sequel, The Princess Switch: Switched Again, which premiered on November 19, 2020, and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star, which premiered on November 18, 2021.
Plot
A week before Christmas, Stacy’s assistant and best friend, Kevin tells her that he has secretly entered her in a prestigious baking competition in the Kingdom of Belgravia. Initially reluctant, she agrees to go to Belgravia with Kevin and his daughter Olivia after a brief encounter with her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend.
At the competition, she runs into her rival Brianna, who stains her apron. In a dressing room, Stacy runs into Lady Margaret Delacourt, Duchess of Montenaro and fiancée of Crown Prince Edward of Belgravia, and they realize they look exactly like each other.
Desperate for time out of the spotlight and to try an ordinary life, Margaret suggests to Stacy that they switch places for two days, then switch back before the competition and her and Edward's wedding. Initially reluctant, Stacy eventually accepts, especially after Lady Margaret agrees to sponsor Olivia as a student in Belgravia's acclaimed summer ballet program.
Stacy and Margaret quickly teach each other about their lives and behavior to minimize suspicion, and part ways. Olivia quickly discovers the switch but helps keep the secret while bonding with Margaret. Meanwhile, Prince Edward – who was supposed to be away on business for the two days of the switch – changes his plans to spend time with his fiancée.
King George senses something is afoot, tasking his butler Frank to watch her. Stacy adapts to court life and begins falling in love with Prince Edward, while Margaret falls in love with Kevin and realizes that she loves living a normal life. Despite this, they switch back as planned. Meanwhile, Brianna sneaks into the TV station one night and sabotages Stacy's mixer.
Frank photographs Margaret and Stacy together, and shows that they swapped identities to the Queen. The Queen then fakes illness to send Edward and Margaret to attend the competition in her place. There, due to Brianna's vandalism, Stacy is forced to mix her ingredients by hand.
Despite the setback, Stacy and Kevin win first prize, with medals presented by Lady Margaret and Prince Edward, where their switch is discovered. Margaret professes her love for Kevin, while Stacy walks away, feeling out of place in Edward's royal life. Edward stops her and proposes, suggesting a Christmas wedding in a year if they are still in love.
One year later, Stacy marries Prince Edward and becomes Princess of Belgravia, and Margaret catches the bouquet.
Cast
- Vanessa Hudgens as
- Stacy De Novo, a baker from Chicago
- Lady Margaret Delacourt, Duchess of Montenaro
- Sam Palladio as Edward Wyndham, Prince of Belgravia
- Nick Sagar as Kevin Richards, Stacy's best friend and Olivia's father
- Alexa Adeosun as Olivia Richards, Kevin's daughter and Stacy’s goddaughter
- Mark Fleischmann as Frank De Luca, Prince Edward's driver
- Suanne Braun as Mrs. Donatelli, Duchess Margret's personal assistant
- Sara Stewart as Queen Caroline Wyndham, Prince Edward's mother and Queen of Belgravia
- Pavel Douglas as King George Wyndham, Prince Edward's father and King of Belgravia
- Amy Griffiths as Brianna Michaels, Stacy's baking rival
- Robin Soans as Kindly Old Man
Production
In June 2018, it was reported that Vanessa Hudgens and Sam Palladio would star in the Netflix film The Princess Switch.[1][2]
Principal photography ended in June 2018.[1] The majority of the film was shot in Carei, Romania. The palace sequence was shot in Károlyi Castle, Carei Romania.[3]
Release
It was released on November 16, 2018, by Netflix.[4]
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 67% with an average rating of 5.6/10, based on 15 reviews. The website's critics consensus reads: "The Princess Switch offers a healthy dose of charming, light-hearted, twin-swap fun and is delightful viewing for any hopeless romantic."[5]
Linda Holmes of NPR praised the movie's acting and called it "pleasingly frothy and ridiculous", while criticizing unrealistic aspects of the plot.[6]
Sequels
A sequel The Princess Switch: Switched Again, was released on November 19, 2020.[7] Vanessa Hudgens took on another role as a third lookalike as well as served as a producer.[8]
The next of its sequel The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star, was released on November 18, 2021.[9] Vanessa Hudgens played three lookalikes as well as served as a producer.[10]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Vanessa Hudgens' Movie 'The Princess Switch' On Netflix Will Be Your Next Christmas Movie Obsession — PHOTOS". The Hollywood Reporter. June 18, 2018. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
- ^ @seewhatsnext (June 18, 2018). ".@VanessaHudgens & @SamPalladio will star in "The Princess Switch," a rom-com about a Duchess & a commoner who swap places after discovering they look exactly alike! But things get complicated when they each fall in love with a man who doesn't know their true identity" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "The Princess Switch: Review, What To Know Before and After Watching". What's on Netflix. November 16, 2018. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
- ^ "First look at 3 new Netflix holiday movies, including A Christmas Prince sequel". Entertainment Weekly. October 17, 2018. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ "The Princess Switch". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on 2022-12-14. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ Holmes, Linda (2018-11-16). "Can You Double Your Holiday Pleasure With Netflix's 'The Princess Switch'?". NPR. Archived from the original on 2023-01-29. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
- ^ "See first photos of Netflix's The Princess Switch: Switched Again". Entertainment Weekly. October 7, 2020. Archived from the original on October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
- ^ "It's a Christmas Miracle! 'The Princess Switch' Is Getting a Sequel". Cosmopolitan. October 29, 2019. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
- ^ "Netflix Sets Release Dates for 'Princess Switch 3' and More Holiday Movies". Variety. 2021-10-06. Archived from the original on 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
- ^ "The Princess Switch 3 trailer is finally here and it's beyond festive". Cosmopolitan. 2021-10-22. Archived from the original on 2022-12-26. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
