DeniReview: The Switch (2010) with Jennifer Aniston
August 26th 2010 06:07
Rating: ** 1/2 out of (5)
I've been watching so many heavy movies lately that I was in the mood for something light, something that would give me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Since the recent crop of "chick flicks" have been horrible, I was hesitant to approach The Switch but I soldiered on and to my astonishment, it's not that bad. It's not a great film, it's not a bad film - it's just a decent film. I wouldn't pay $10 to see it in the cinema. This is the kind of movie that you find on cable on one of those rainy days.
We all know the premise of the movie, it's been done before earlier this year with The Back-Up Plan starring Jennifer Lopez, but this
movie has a little bit more juice than that empty excuse for romantic escapism. Kassie (Aniston) is an attractive singleton who feels her biological clock is ticking but lacks the patience to wait for the "ideal" situation that will possibly never happen. So she's determined to do this on her own and is on the prowl for some sperm. As usual, Mr. Right is staring Kassie in the face in the form of her neurotic best friend, Wally (Jason Bateman). Despite Wally's objections, Kassie's search for a sperm donor turns out to be the charming Roland (Patrick Wilson).
Kassie's somewhat dopey friend Debiet (Juliette Lewis) has the bright idea to throw an "Insemination Party", I guess I've
been out of the loop way too long because I've never heard of such a thing. All her friends are gathered to celebrate the happy occasion of a woman taking control and glorifying her walk towards "single-motherhood" and defying the tradition of the need for a man to have a child (the technicality excepted). So at some point during the party, Roland is to proceed to the bathroom and er...fill the cup with his seed and the fertility celebration continues. However, Wally, who of course harbors undefined feelings for Kassie is upset. He drunkenly stumbles into the bathroom and accidentally spills the "offering" and replaces it with his own. The next day he has no memory whats-so-ever.
Kassie finds out she's pregnant, decides to move back home to raise the child in a more stable environment and six years later she returns to NYC with Sebastian (Thomas Robinson), a mini Wally who's equally neurotic. Next comes the usual
song and dance. Kassie reconnects with Roland, thinking he's the father and tries to form a bond between him and Sebastian while she's also develops feelings for him but of course, Sebastian prefers Wally and then there's the predictable missed opportunities between Kassie and Wally, where both fail to admit that each harbors feelings for the other, which of course leads to the climactic ending but we all know where it's heading so the question is, is the ride worthwhile? Well, the ride was "okay".
The real star of this film is not Jennifer Aniston. It's Jason Bateman and a pint sized dynamo by the name of Thomas Robinson, who plays their son. Jennifer Aniston's usual
shtick is toned down in this film, while she'll always be Rachael Green from Friends, she showed a bit more range than usual but Jason Bateman is the one to look at in this one with his subtly played neuroticism, dry wit and enigmatic mannerisms like humming when he eats food, or showing Kassie a picture on his mobile of his scrotum where he believes there's an abnormal growth. All of which made him more appealing and vulnerable with a slice of charm.
And then there's little Thomas Robinson who plays their son
Sebastian, all I can say is that he matched Jason's excitable nature pound for pound, especially when they both compare their neurosis. Jeff Goldblum makes an appearance as Wally's best friend, great to see him in character as the sarcastic and always loquacious best friend. Juliette Lewis is good at being dopey but Patrick Wilson had no where to go in this one.
Like I said, it served it's purpose and I'm sure for die-hard lovers of romantic comedies there will be those who love it no matter what..but in all honesty, it was just -- okay.
We all know the premise of the movie, it's been done before earlier this year with The Back-Up Plan starring Jennifer Lopez, but this
Jennifer Aniston as Kassie
Kassie's somewhat dopey friend Debiet (Juliette Lewis) has the bright idea to throw an "Insemination Party", I guess I've
Jason Bateman as Wally
Kassie finds out she's pregnant, decides to move back home to raise the child in a more stable environment and six years later she returns to NYC with Sebastian (Thomas Robinson), a mini Wally who's equally neurotic. Next comes the usual
The real star of this film is not Jennifer Aniston. It's Jason Bateman and a pint sized dynamo by the name of Thomas Robinson, who plays their son. Jennifer Aniston's usual
And then there's little Thomas Robinson who plays their son
Patrick Wilson as Roland
Like I said, it served it's purpose and I'm sure for die-hard lovers of romantic comedies there will be those who love it no matter what..but in all honesty, it was just -- okay.
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Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I'm not an Aniston fan either. This is definitely a "chick flick".
Love Jason Bateman though!
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
There can be nothing more depressing than watching a Jennifer Aniston movie as far as I'm concerned (Office Space and The Good Girl being exceptions to the rule!!). I must admit though that since Juno I've become somewhat of a Bateman convert. There's certainly something pretty appealing about the guy.
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I have three write-ups for "heavy" movies coming up...just needed a break.
Ever since I saw Jason Bateman in "Juno" and "Smoking Aces", he's been on my radar. Definitely underrated in my opinion.