Switching Channels

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Switching Channels

PG

1988

1h 48m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

32%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Cable news anchor Christy Colleran (Kathleen Turner) and her cagey boss, John L. Sullivan (Burt Reynolds), have a long history together: They used to be married. But now Christy is set to leave journalism and her ex-husband forever by moving to New York City with her fiancé, retail mogul Blaine Bingham (Christopher Reeve). Since Sullivan still has feelings for her, he hatches a plan to keep Christy around by assigning her to a hot news story she can't resist.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

I’m not sure why I have watched [Switching Channels] so many times over the years — I just have, and whatever the reason, every time I do, the darn motion picture makes me smile as if I were watching it for the first time.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 27, 2023

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The basic mechanics of the original Hecht-MacArthur story are still sound, and Switching Channels is true to the obsessive-compulsive hostility that is the fuel for all good reporters.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Hyperactive yet lethargic at the same time with useless energy akin to an obstacle course where everyone forgot to focus on the end goal. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 28, 2022

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an aggressively hit-and-miss endeavor...

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 24, 2021

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Ángel Luis Inurria

El Pais (Spain)

A pleasant comedy. [Full Review in Spanish]

Mar 31, 2020

Full Review

Hilary Mantel

The Spectator

Christopher Reeve gets the worst of the contrived situations.

Apr 9, 2019

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Steve D

Dull knockoff of better films.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/02/23

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Audience Member

Watched this to remember Burt. It's the first time I've seen this. It's worth a watch as its theme of the press as a champion of freedom and democracy is presciently timely now. Burt's still sticking it to the Man.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

Apparently a remake of two films - The Front Page and His Girl Friday. In this one we have a female news anchor/reporter in a love triangle with a new well-to-do suitor and her ex, who is also her boss. A bit too much screwball comedy for my taste.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

"Switching Channels" is a surprisingly enjoyable '80s comedy, boasting an uproariously funny performance from Burt Reynolds (you gotta love that guy), great lines and sequences and a steady pace that never lets down until the end. The laughs are there, the gags are there, the action is there too. It's obviously strong original material paired with a suitable directorial approach.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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Audience Member

Rubbish remake of His Girl Friday featuring possibly Christopher Reeve's worst performance. Burt Reynolds does his usual. The only saving grace is Kathleen Turner.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

Could watch over and over. Never would have expected Burt Reynolds to fill Cary Grant's shoes so well! Fast paced, funny and full of slapstick, screwball comedy!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Ted Kotcheff

Director

Kathleen Turner

Christy Colleran

Burt Reynolds

John L. Sullivan IV

Christopher Reeve

Blaine Bingham

Ned Beatty

Roy Ridnitz

Henry Gibson

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Synopsis

Cable news anchor Christy Colleran (Kathleen Turner) and her cagey boss, John L. Sullivan (Burt Reynolds), have a long history together: They used to be married. But now Christy is set to leave journalism and her ex-husband forever by moving to New York City with her fiancé, retail mogul Blaine Bingham (Christopher Reeve). Since Sullivan still has feelings for her, he hatches a plan to keep Christy around by assigning her to a hot news story she can't resist.

Director: Ted Kotcheff
Screenwriter: Jonathan Reynolds
Production Co: TriStar Pictures
Rating: PG
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.2M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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