Film: The Switch
Starring: Jason Bateman (Juno, Up in the Air), Jennifer Aniston (The Break Up, Office Space), and Jeff Goldblum (Independence Day)
U.S. Release: 2010 (Rated PG-13)
Director: Josh Gordon (Blades of Glory) and Will Speck
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 101 minutes
For anyone, when pre-judging a movie, looking at the cast of film can sway your biased opinion one way or the other. After seeing the clever trailer of the latest comedy release, The Switch, I was convinced that with an All-Star lineup of Bateman, Aniston, and Goldblum, how could the movie disappoint? Well as the saying goes, "Never judge a book by its cover". It's a great rule, and one I overlook on a daily basis.
Set presently in New York City, The Switch circles around Wally Mars (Bateman) who is stuck in the "friend zone" with Kassie Larson (Aniston). One day, Kassie confides in Wally her desire to be artificially inseminated and things begin to take a crazy turn. Absolutely against the idea, Wally tries to coerce Kassie into changing her mind, but the middle-aged woman won't bend. When it's time for the big day, a drunken Wally foils the evening. Unable to recall what happens, he forgets that he switched the donor's sample with his own. Soon after, Kassie's pregnancy is under way and she moves to the mid-west in order to raise her son, Sebastian. Seven years later, her and her son return to New York, and Wally begins to see similarities with himself and Sebastian. But how can he explain this bizarre situation to the woman he's always loved?
The idea is intriguing, but the execution and direction is lackluster. Undoubtedly, you'll find yourself laughing occasionally throughout the movie, but there are far too many yawns and glances at the watch. The Switch has a lot of promise, but it falls apart in it's subtle delivery. The acting is mediocre and the chemistry between Bateman and Aniston isn't convincing at all. Finally, the ending was troublesome to me. The movie doesn't show the character's emotional transformation that's necessary to warrant the film's resolve.
All in all, it's tough to dislike a comedy. The Switch was enjoyable, but when you put it up against other top-notch films of its genre, it doesn't stand a chance. So once again, avoid the skyrocketing movie ticket prices and wait for DVD.
Watch The Switch if you enjoyed: Knocked Up. I wasn't particularly a fan of that movie either, but both films have a similar feel and delivery.
Stars: 1 and a half stars out of 4
Starring: Jason Bateman (Juno, Up in the Air), Jennifer Aniston (The Break Up, Office Space), and Jeff Goldblum (Independence Day)
U.S. Release: 2010 (Rated PG-13)
Director: Josh Gordon (Blades of Glory) and Will Speck
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 101 minutes
For anyone, when pre-judging a movie, looking at the cast of film can sway your biased opinion one way or the other. After seeing the clever trailer of the latest comedy release, The Switch, I was convinced that with an All-Star lineup of Bateman, Aniston, and Goldblum, how could the movie disappoint? Well as the saying goes, "Never judge a book by its cover". It's a great rule, and one I overlook on a daily basis.
Set presently in New York City, The Switch circles around Wally Mars (Bateman) who is stuck in the "friend zone" with Kassie Larson (Aniston). One day, Kassie confides in Wally her desire to be artificially inseminated and things begin to take a crazy turn. Absolutely against the idea, Wally tries to coerce Kassie into changing her mind, but the middle-aged woman won't bend. When it's time for the big day, a drunken Wally foils the evening. Unable to recall what happens, he forgets that he switched the donor's sample with his own. Soon after, Kassie's pregnancy is under way and she moves to the mid-west in order to raise her son, Sebastian. Seven years later, her and her son return to New York, and Wally begins to see similarities with himself and Sebastian. But how can he explain this bizarre situation to the woman he's always loved?
The idea is intriguing, but the execution and direction is lackluster. Undoubtedly, you'll find yourself laughing occasionally throughout the movie, but there are far too many yawns and glances at the watch. The Switch has a lot of promise, but it falls apart in it's subtle delivery. The acting is mediocre and the chemistry between Bateman and Aniston isn't convincing at all. Finally, the ending was troublesome to me. The movie doesn't show the character's emotional transformation that's necessary to warrant the film's resolve.
All in all, it's tough to dislike a comedy. The Switch was enjoyable, but when you put it up against other top-notch films of its genre, it doesn't stand a chance. So once again, avoid the skyrocketing movie ticket prices and wait for DVD.
Watch The Switch if you enjoyed: Knocked Up. I wasn't particularly a fan of that movie either, but both films have a similar feel and delivery.
Stars: 1 and a half stars out of 4
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