The Vertigo Monologues

Netflix Self-Torture Experiment Trilogy #10: The Hot Chick

I chose this movie because it has Rob Schneider in it. That’s pretty much the only reason.

Synopsis from Netflix: Cheerleader Jessica Spencer (Rachel McAdams) is as shallow and spiteful as she is pretty and popular. Her cruel nature gets her in trouble when she shoplifts a cursed pair of earrings and winds up trapped in the body of a 30-year-old male loser (Rob Schneider). Humbled, confused and in constant need of a shave, Jessica frantically tries to figure out how to switch back in time for the prom and the big cheerleading competition.

My thoughts: I’m not sure if it’s possible to like a movie and hate it at the same time, but that’s kinda how I feel about The Hot Chick. Much of the film centered around jokes based on sexual and racial stereotypes, poking fun at fat people, and homophobia. (It should also go without saying that seeing Rob Schneider in drag loses its humor really quickly.) Still, the overall message of the movie wasn’t half bad.

Through her transformation, the main character is able to discover that she’s taken for granted all of the positive aspects of her life and she’s able to make amends for most of her past petty shenanigans. It’s obviously a really dumb plot but, compared to the majority of other bad films on my self-torture list, The Hot Chick is at least watchable. I didn’t enjoy the attempts at cheap laughs but at least the movie had a heart. [Two out of five stars.]