A screenplay by John Hughes and a starring comedic role for Michael Keaton? What’s not to love? Sure some of the film hasn’t aged well and sadly in the end things go back to the way they were, though both characters have a better understanding of the other’s world.

Jack (Keaton) is an automotive engineer, and his wife, Caroline (Teri Garr) gave up her own career to be a stay-at-home mom for their three children. They have a nice home, a nice life, though neither seem as satisfied as they could be.

Jack is stunned to learn that he’s been let go by his boss, and now, unemployed he needs to find something to do. When Caroline gets a job in an ad agency before he finds new employment he looks after the household and the kids.

It’s a role swap movie, which at the time was fun, but is just an accepted lifestyle today. That doesn’t mean there aren’t lots of fun moments when Jack attempts to settle in to running the household and raising the kids, something he’s not ready for and begins to fall apart emotionally and mentally.

Caroline has to not only deal with clients but also with the amorous advances of her boss, Ron (Martin Mull). Jack has his one romantic problems, as he loves Caroine, but can’t deal with her, initially, being the breadwinner, and Joan (Ann Jillian) one of the local neighbours, has her eye on him.

The film is very intent on showing how rough it is to keep a household and family active and thriving, and the sacrifices that need to be made because of it.

It ends up being a lot of fun, and Keaton shines as he really lets his comedic flag fly. He’s wonderful, and I do like that his side of the story is explored, it is his movie, of course, but I think, consequently, that Teri Garr’s Caroline doesn’t get as much exploration, and her side is just an amalgam of tropes.

It’s fun, goofy, and has some wonderful moments, that are heightened for comedy but are all recognizable from daily life.

It’s interesting that Hughes was offered the director’s chair for this one, but he didn’t want to work in Hollywood, he liked to shoot in Chicago, so he declined. I wonder how the film would have changed with him as both writer and director working with Keaton’s comedic abilities.

It’s a lot of fun, and prime 80s comedy that is suitable for everyone, but is definitely a little dated in the way it looks at gender roles.