While the body swap sub-genre is pretty tired by now, it probably never reached its full potential. Although there are very nice movies in this niche category of cinema such as: Big and all from mebody-swap movies have rarely exploited the subgenre’s inherent ability to express human empathy and the true allegorical subtext of a Crazy Fridaylike situation. But the upcoming movie roommate going to give it a chance.
An official selection at New Fest and Outfest, roommate is a sweet fantasy comedy that follows the fallout of young Johnny (Tre Ryder) after the child studies a New Age mindfulness tutorial on YouTube about separating the mind from the body. Johnny then takes over the body of his nanny Melanie (Colby Minifie) and explores the craft that is her body as she navigates her life and of course eats as much candy as possible. Watch the trailer for roommate below.
Colby Minifie shines in Homebody like a child in a woman’s body
Minifie is now known for her performances as Ashley Barrett in the boys, Virginia in Fear the walking deadginger in The wonderful Mrs. Maiseland Robin in Jessica Jonesbut takes on a completely different role roommate. Body-swap films always give actors the chance to show some range, from Nicolas Cage and John Travolta playing each other in the unexpectedly masterful Face/Off to Tom Hanks’ endearing portrayal of a child in the body of a man with… Bigand Minifie seizes the opportunity.
Minifie plays the young and focused Melanie and completely switches when she is occupied by Johnny’s ghost. “Her expressive face tells the story even without Johnny’s inner monologue,” Nerds and beyond writes. “Minifie is excellent in wide-eyed innocence, which may surprise fans who know her as Ashley on the boys. The quiet moments that focus on Johnny-as-Melanie trying to navigate the adult world are the best parts of the movie.”
Homebody explores gender through its body-swap premise
However, what has gotten the most buzz is the way roommate finally, uses the body-swap genre to explore gender identity, transgender dysphoria, and the complicated nature of bodies. Questioning the traditional Crazy Friday structure, the film finds Johnny experimenting with the female body, after being given the chance to actually inhabit a different gender. With tact and tenderness, roommate finds Johnny developing a better understanding of his own gender and psyche by using Melanie to put on makeup, wear clothes, and simply break the male/female binary.
Like Jennie Kermode from Eye for film writes, “[Homebody] deals with the process of gender exploration, among other things, but it does so with such a light touch that no specific knowledge is needed to understand or enjoy it. Transgender people will find an extra layer of magic there and may end up in tears, but part of the joy of the film is the sense of freedom and openness to possibilities it creates.”
Written and directed by Joseph Sackett after a series of award-winning short films, roommate has received acclaim on the festival circuit ahead of its theatrical release on November 11 courtesy of Cinedigm. Also with the great Maria Dizzia (Orange is the new black, 13 reasons why, the stairs) and Zoe Chao (The afterparty, living with yourself), roommate will be available at Fandor and Video On Demand outlets on December 6 after the theatrical release.