179 reviews
Likable film with a lot of heart
I think critics have been conditioned to think that any movie with Jennifer Aniston in it these days has to suck. I happily declare that this one doesn't. It has a likable romance. The dialogue is actually funny (especially anything that comes out of Jeff Goldblum's mouth). Based on the premise - which comes off much less implausible than it probably should - I was expecting a lot more lowbrow comedy and was pleasantly surprised. And Jason Bateman is a wonderful and underrated leading man. The voice-overs are perhaps a bit insipid and probably could have been skipped entirely, but that's a minor complaint. I enjoyed the film. 7 out of 10.
Quite Enjoyable
- bob-rutzel-1
- Mar 28, 2011
- Permalink
Enjoyable and definitely not as bad as it may appear...
So I saw The Switch over this weekend and I must say I expected this to be a complete failure and it surprised me to not be that. Matter of fact, the movie stands out pretty well through Aniston's filmography. The story is not complicated, runs smooth and gets your attention. The story revolves around Wally Mars (Jason Bateman) a middle-age single guy who has a hard-time finding his match and Kassie Larson (Jennifer Aniston), his best-friend. At Kassie's semen-party, Wally gets drunk and switches the donator's sperm with his own without realizing and forgetting completely about what happened to next day. After seven years of being separated by distance Kassie movies back to her town and of course, she starts to talk again to her "best-friend". Problems appear only when Wally sees that Kassie's kid is acting pretty much similar like him so he remembers what he did and decides to tell Kassie the truth. Of course, this story has it's clichés and I'm the most bored person on the earth by clichés but this movie is a little bit different. It's not that funny, it has it's funny moments which were handled well but the movie it-self is more of a romance than a comedy so I enjoyed it more than others who expected a million laughs from it.
As far as the acting, this is definitely Aniston's best movie this year and I liked her attitude in this even though she portrays almost the same character but it's such an improvement from The Bounty Hunter. Jason Bateman was very good, hilarious at points as usual and actually approached a more serious tone for this role. The rest was good and I really was not bothered by anything at all. The characters were lovely and I was surprised for them to not look over-acted and exaggerated.
The cinematography, editing were pretty much normal, nothing to be mentioned and the score was as usual, typical for a romantic movie. With all these I want to say that this movie is not BAD and I don't understand people who love to bash this movie just for it's clichés and stuff like that. This movie is a simple good time for a boring afternoon. It's far from being great but it's such a better choice than most of the wack stuff that studios put out.
As far as the acting, this is definitely Aniston's best movie this year and I liked her attitude in this even though she portrays almost the same character but it's such an improvement from The Bounty Hunter. Jason Bateman was very good, hilarious at points as usual and actually approached a more serious tone for this role. The rest was good and I really was not bothered by anything at all. The characters were lovely and I was surprised for them to not look over-acted and exaggerated.
The cinematography, editing were pretty much normal, nothing to be mentioned and the score was as usual, typical for a romantic movie. With all these I want to say that this movie is not BAD and I don't understand people who love to bash this movie just for it's clichés and stuff like that. This movie is a simple good time for a boring afternoon. It's far from being great but it's such a better choice than most of the wack stuff that studios put out.
- montera_iulian
- Oct 18, 2010
- Permalink
A romantic comedy with just enough of each to survive the overly clever hook
The Switch (2010)
Okay, it would be easy to dis this movie as a canned, obvious, emotionally thin contrivance. It's a vehicle for two popular stars playing characters in their 30s who are, despite good looks and basic social skills, single and childless. They have to fall in love but life gets in the way in kind of stupid ways. You can't take it seriously, and you can't even quite care enough to hope for the best, whatever that is.
But it's also easy to like this movie despite its obviousness. Jason Bateman is a joy to watch. Maybe his performance is like the movie--glib and facile. But like the movie he is endlessly watchable, and his character is the one with the most depth. His interactions with the boy of six or so are terrific. The boy, too, is adorable and helps the movie get some feeling.
Jennifer Aniston plays the woman who wants a child but has no one willing to be the dad, more or less (though the viewer knows better). And she's a terrific actress, actually, even if her role here (and elsewhere) is often not as demanding as it could be. I suppose Meg Ryan has some kind of edge on her for this kind of stereotype--the lovable lonely urban girl who just can't get love right despite the obvious--but Aniston is an update on that type.
But it is Aniston and Bateman together that really make the movie glide along and make you smile. They have great rapport and good timing, comedic and serious both. I wouldn't say they have chemistry (I guess that's the problem their characters have, so maybe it's great acting) but they make their scenes pop in a way the rest of the movie trundles.
The story writer, Jeffrey Eugenides, is better known for sprawling novels and lots of interrelated characters, but even there there are little hooks that come off a hair obvious. That's the problem here, in the end. There's a big trick, a wonderful and funny hook of an idea, and that almost alone has to handle all the consequences. Some better character development would have been a joy.
Oh, and it's been a long time since a movie with two directors has been able to pull off consistency. I don't know the logistics behind it, but maybe one of the hesitations all along is a lack of singular conviction. Or not. Maybe this is such a formula product any number of directors could have chipped in.
Watch it for the two leads together. And for some fun, warm laughs, if that's your thing. I enjoyed it.
Okay, it would be easy to dis this movie as a canned, obvious, emotionally thin contrivance. It's a vehicle for two popular stars playing characters in their 30s who are, despite good looks and basic social skills, single and childless. They have to fall in love but life gets in the way in kind of stupid ways. You can't take it seriously, and you can't even quite care enough to hope for the best, whatever that is.
But it's also easy to like this movie despite its obviousness. Jason Bateman is a joy to watch. Maybe his performance is like the movie--glib and facile. But like the movie he is endlessly watchable, and his character is the one with the most depth. His interactions with the boy of six or so are terrific. The boy, too, is adorable and helps the movie get some feeling.
Jennifer Aniston plays the woman who wants a child but has no one willing to be the dad, more or less (though the viewer knows better). And she's a terrific actress, actually, even if her role here (and elsewhere) is often not as demanding as it could be. I suppose Meg Ryan has some kind of edge on her for this kind of stereotype--the lovable lonely urban girl who just can't get love right despite the obvious--but Aniston is an update on that type.
But it is Aniston and Bateman together that really make the movie glide along and make you smile. They have great rapport and good timing, comedic and serious both. I wouldn't say they have chemistry (I guess that's the problem their characters have, so maybe it's great acting) but they make their scenes pop in a way the rest of the movie trundles.
The story writer, Jeffrey Eugenides, is better known for sprawling novels and lots of interrelated characters, but even there there are little hooks that come off a hair obvious. That's the problem here, in the end. There's a big trick, a wonderful and funny hook of an idea, and that almost alone has to handle all the consequences. Some better character development would have been a joy.
Oh, and it's been a long time since a movie with two directors has been able to pull off consistency. I don't know the logistics behind it, but maybe one of the hesitations all along is a lack of singular conviction. Or not. Maybe this is such a formula product any number of directors could have chipped in.
Watch it for the two leads together. And for some fun, warm laughs, if that's your thing. I enjoyed it.
- secondtake
- Jun 27, 2013
- Permalink
So awkward. It's funny
Not your typical rom-com, but if you like Jason Bateman or Jennifer Aniston, then this is an enjoyable movie. Near the end of the film it gets so awkward. It's laugh out loud. Funny. Definitely worth the price of admission.
- dalewilbanks-64908
- Mar 2, 2022
- Permalink
Romantic comedy without romance or comedy
This film is about a woman who gets pregnant by artificial insemination with seeds from a donor. An unexpected switch causes an avalanche of events that changes her life.
The first ten minutes appear to be a bombardment of words, with constant conversation at full speed. Then the story moves slowly, and the first sign of any romance happens well after 70 minutes into the film. There is little portrayal of Kassie's dilemma between two guys and her entangled emotions, which makes the film a lot less engaging. Even though the film follows the typical romantic comedy formula, the formula is so rushed that everything occurs in the last 20 minutes of the film.
The script does not work at all. It is poorly paced, unfunny and just drags on. It creates nothing to make the viewers look forward to. It does not instill any loving feelings into the atmosphere. It does not even feel sweet or romantic. There is no comedy at all, it does not make me even smile once. I normally enjoy romantic comedies, but I find "The Switch" unbelievably boring.
The first ten minutes appear to be a bombardment of words, with constant conversation at full speed. Then the story moves slowly, and the first sign of any romance happens well after 70 minutes into the film. There is little portrayal of Kassie's dilemma between two guys and her entangled emotions, which makes the film a lot less engaging. Even though the film follows the typical romantic comedy formula, the formula is so rushed that everything occurs in the last 20 minutes of the film.
The script does not work at all. It is poorly paced, unfunny and just drags on. It creates nothing to make the viewers look forward to. It does not instill any loving feelings into the atmosphere. It does not even feel sweet or romantic. There is no comedy at all, it does not make me even smile once. I normally enjoy romantic comedies, but I find "The Switch" unbelievably boring.
Cute and touching
I have seen many the Romantic Comedy that I would say are OK, a time filler but I wouldn't count this movie as one of them.
First of all there is a friendship, second there is competition for Kassie, the main character's affections and lastly and most importantly there is a very sweet relationship between Bateman's character and the little boy, Sebastian. This movie has all the right ingredients to be a sweet movie. It also has our beloved Jennifer Aniston starring in the lead role and a very cute kid. Honestly, I watch most of Aniston's movies and this was one of my favorites.
I realize that its not going to be nominated for an Academy but its certainly worth cozying up with your significant other and a glass of wine and enjoying the show.
First of all there is a friendship, second there is competition for Kassie, the main character's affections and lastly and most importantly there is a very sweet relationship between Bateman's character and the little boy, Sebastian. This movie has all the right ingredients to be a sweet movie. It also has our beloved Jennifer Aniston starring in the lead role and a very cute kid. Honestly, I watch most of Aniston's movies and this was one of my favorites.
I realize that its not going to be nominated for an Academy but its certainly worth cozying up with your significant other and a glass of wine and enjoying the show.
A fun, believable romance with a twist.
pleasantly surprised
well, I rented this film only because it was the only one that I hadn't see from redbox. I usually do not like Jennifer Aniston in anything but the TV show Friends, and quite honestly she wasn't great but she certainly did not 'sneeze on the buffet'. It was Jason Bateman that really carried this film. He's a very under-rated actor. The film is about friend of the opposite sex, with one, the male of course, having more feelings than the other. When he finds out that she wants to have a baby and is looking for the perfect man for his sperm, he's hurt cause she didn't pick him. The film really explores parenthood in the modern age and also dynamics of friends, and even fatherhood. It's a comedy, but it has many dramatic and poignant elements to it. I'd recommend it.
- almamoyamoon
- Apr 14, 2011
- Permalink
Fantastic actors/actresses casted poorly
What a strong cast for such an average film. Having the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, and Jeff Goldblum is a headstart on almost any romcom, but I felt that none of them were the right casting choice for their respective role. Aniston was the only one who felt like she belonged, but like any romcom, a love interest is required and Bateman fell flat. Both Aniston and Bateman performed great, but the lack of chemistry was palpable. The funniest thing about this film was how poorly Goldblum fit into his role. He essentially plays the low-screen time advice friend to consult Bateman's character, yet he maintains Goldblum's "larger than life" persona. I am not typically crazy about romcoms and this one lands right at the median for them in my opinion.
- jackgdemoss
- Apr 13, 2019
- Permalink
The Switch (2010)
- SnakesOnAnAfricanPlain
- Dec 12, 2011
- Permalink
Tired Insemination Premise Gives Rise to a Surprisingly Sharp Comedy with a Smart Cast
If the Hollywood studios still made the type of urban comedies they made back in the early 1970's starring George Segal (usually) as a neurotic nebbish, then Jason Bateman's big-screen career would certainly be secure. As he displayed consistently on "Arrested Development", the actor's dry delivery and slyly observant manner are a perfect match for Wally Mars, the comically cynical equities analyst he plays in this sadly overlooked 2010 romantic comedy co-directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon (who much to my surprise, helmed the Will Ferrell figure-skating comedy, "Blades of Glory"). Although he is the true protagonist of the story, the movie was marketed as a Jennifer Aniston vehicle. She plays rising TV producer Kassie Larson, his long-ago girlfriend who has relegated him to the "friend zone" even though he obviously hasn't gotten over her.
Written with verve by Allen Loeb (who also co-wrote Aniston's recent 2011 movie, the Adam Sandler starrer, "Just Go With It"), the story revolves around Kassie's ticking biological clock. In a seven-years-back flashback, she is seen deliberately bypassing Wally as a possible sperm donor in favor of a more predictable candidate, Roland, a struggling associate professor at Columbia, who happens to be married and drop-dead handsome. At an "insemination" party, Wally gets wasted and drops the carelessly placed vial of Roland's semen down the bathroom sink. This leaves Wally no choice but to replace the sample himself. Kassie eventually becomes pregnant and moves back home to Minnesota. Flash forward to the present, and Kassie returns to Manhattan with her six-year-old son Sebastian in tow. The fact that Sebastian acts like a miniature version of Wally gets completely past Kassie but not Wally who slowly realizes that out of his stupor years ago, his son was conceived.
Although this indiscretion would seem like the perfect excuse for Wally to reveal his true feelings for Kassie, complications ensue when she starts a relationship with Roland, now desperately on the rebound from a bitter divorce. At the same time, Wally forms a close bond with Sebastian who naturally gravitates toward him because of their mutual idiosyncrasies. Bateman handles Wally's evolution from self-absorbed fatalist to paternal protector with aplomb and surprising depth. Aniston is better served here than in most of her standard-issue romantic comedies, and the sharp interplay between these two actors, especially in the beginning scenes, is refreshingly rapid-fire like a modern-day "His Girl Friday". With his constantly forlorn expression interrupted by moments of genuine happiness, Thomas Robinson is terrifically understated as Sebastian, and his unforced scenes with Bateman represent the true high points of the film.
A crack supporting cast has been assembled. As Wally's best friend and manager, the sarcastic ladies' man Leonard, Jeff Goldblum takes a predictable role and gives it his special, off-kilter twist. The result is his funniest turn in years, for example, his use of the term "ill-advised" during the moment of revelation is hilariously unexpected. The same can also be said for Juliette Lewis, who plays Kassie's constantly inappropriate best friend Debbie with her spacey delivery intact as she slings clever putdowns at Wally. Even Patrick Wilson, saddled with the no-win role of the golden boy Roland, who has no capacity for honest introspection, is funny in a role that gets diabolically transparent as the proceedings get complicated. The 2011 DVD/Blu-Ray offers a standard set of extras - a fifteen-minute making-of featurette ("The Switch Conceived"); about ten deleted and alternate scenes running for nearly half an hour in total, one a more purposeful variation on the central scene; and a brief blooper reel. Give it a try.
Written with verve by Allen Loeb (who also co-wrote Aniston's recent 2011 movie, the Adam Sandler starrer, "Just Go With It"), the story revolves around Kassie's ticking biological clock. In a seven-years-back flashback, she is seen deliberately bypassing Wally as a possible sperm donor in favor of a more predictable candidate, Roland, a struggling associate professor at Columbia, who happens to be married and drop-dead handsome. At an "insemination" party, Wally gets wasted and drops the carelessly placed vial of Roland's semen down the bathroom sink. This leaves Wally no choice but to replace the sample himself. Kassie eventually becomes pregnant and moves back home to Minnesota. Flash forward to the present, and Kassie returns to Manhattan with her six-year-old son Sebastian in tow. The fact that Sebastian acts like a miniature version of Wally gets completely past Kassie but not Wally who slowly realizes that out of his stupor years ago, his son was conceived.
Although this indiscretion would seem like the perfect excuse for Wally to reveal his true feelings for Kassie, complications ensue when she starts a relationship with Roland, now desperately on the rebound from a bitter divorce. At the same time, Wally forms a close bond with Sebastian who naturally gravitates toward him because of their mutual idiosyncrasies. Bateman handles Wally's evolution from self-absorbed fatalist to paternal protector with aplomb and surprising depth. Aniston is better served here than in most of her standard-issue romantic comedies, and the sharp interplay between these two actors, especially in the beginning scenes, is refreshingly rapid-fire like a modern-day "His Girl Friday". With his constantly forlorn expression interrupted by moments of genuine happiness, Thomas Robinson is terrifically understated as Sebastian, and his unforced scenes with Bateman represent the true high points of the film.
A crack supporting cast has been assembled. As Wally's best friend and manager, the sarcastic ladies' man Leonard, Jeff Goldblum takes a predictable role and gives it his special, off-kilter twist. The result is his funniest turn in years, for example, his use of the term "ill-advised" during the moment of revelation is hilariously unexpected. The same can also be said for Juliette Lewis, who plays Kassie's constantly inappropriate best friend Debbie with her spacey delivery intact as she slings clever putdowns at Wally. Even Patrick Wilson, saddled with the no-win role of the golden boy Roland, who has no capacity for honest introspection, is funny in a role that gets diabolically transparent as the proceedings get complicated. The 2011 DVD/Blu-Ray offers a standard set of extras - a fifteen-minute making-of featurette ("The Switch Conceived"); about ten deleted and alternate scenes running for nearly half an hour in total, one a more purposeful variation on the central scene; and a brief blooper reel. Give it a try.
Decent Film....
When one gets ready to watch a film like 'The Switch', the viewer should go in with limited expectations. If the person goes in with gargantuan expectations, he/she are sure to be left disappointed.
Based on the short story Baster by Jeffrey Eugenides, Josh Gordon and Will Speck's 'The Switch' is a decent film, about 2 best-friends, who later become a couple. In a running time over a 100-minutes, this comedy offers some tendering moments and likable performances from it's lead cast.
An interesting premise is mostly well-handled, and even the hackneyed climax doesn't really leave you complaining. Josh Gordon and Will Speck's direction is just right. Jess Hall's Cinematography is decent, while the Editing is just about okay.
Performance-Wise: Jason Bateman is extremely likable in the lead role. Jennifer Aniston is natural. Thomas Robinson is wonderful. Jeff Goldblum and Juliette Lewis leave a mark, as well.
On the whole, 'The Switch' is an ideal lazy Sunday afternoon watch.
Based on the short story Baster by Jeffrey Eugenides, Josh Gordon and Will Speck's 'The Switch' is a decent film, about 2 best-friends, who later become a couple. In a running time over a 100-minutes, this comedy offers some tendering moments and likable performances from it's lead cast.
An interesting premise is mostly well-handled, and even the hackneyed climax doesn't really leave you complaining. Josh Gordon and Will Speck's direction is just right. Jess Hall's Cinematography is decent, while the Editing is just about okay.
Performance-Wise: Jason Bateman is extremely likable in the lead role. Jennifer Aniston is natural. Thomas Robinson is wonderful. Jeff Goldblum and Juliette Lewis leave a mark, as well.
On the whole, 'The Switch' is an ideal lazy Sunday afternoon watch.
Are you kidding me
- techbklukat
- Nov 21, 2023
- Permalink
Terrific male cast
The Switch's first thirty minutes remind me of screwball comedies with repartee sharp, fast, and witty: unmarried Kassie (Jennifer Aniston) announces to her best friend, Wally (Jason Bateman), that she is going to arrange for a donor to have a baby. I know—we've been there this year with Back-up Plan and The Kids are All Right, yet there's plenty of room for all kinds of donations.
Bateman is at his under-acting, low key, gentle best responding to Aniston's usually cute bemusement because, as you might have guessed, he loves her but has not the daring to tell her. Then, at the donor party, he gets excited in the bathroom at a picture of Diane Sawyer and switches his sperm for the donor's.
You've seen similar romantic comedy setups where the principals know each other too well or dislike each other so much that they will be enlightened and bond by the end of the film. You know how it all will turn out, so after that smart opening, the film devolves into clichéd expectation fulfillment.
However, scenes between Wally and six-year old Sebastian (Thomas Robinson), his son by the switch but a secret to mother and son for much of the film, are well-acted given the appropriate level of dialogue, their mutual respect, and the film's unwillingness to exploit Robinson's cuteness to elicit favorable reviews. But after all, like his dad, Sebastian's a pessimist with eccentric and sometimes macabre tastes, not always exploitable characteristics. In any case, these two actors are as good as one could expect to show a loving relationship between two eccentrics who don't know for some time they are related.
Saving the film from my impending "C" grade are Jeff Goldblum as Leonard, Wally's best male friend; the cute Thomas Robinson as Sebastian, Kassie's son; and manic Juliette Lewis as Debbie, Kassie's best girl friend. With weak competition like Bow Wow in Lottery Ticket, Aniston manages to be in a film just a bit above my average. Too bad because that opening is worth seeing just for itself.
Bateman is at his under-acting, low key, gentle best responding to Aniston's usually cute bemusement because, as you might have guessed, he loves her but has not the daring to tell her. Then, at the donor party, he gets excited in the bathroom at a picture of Diane Sawyer and switches his sperm for the donor's.
You've seen similar romantic comedy setups where the principals know each other too well or dislike each other so much that they will be enlightened and bond by the end of the film. You know how it all will turn out, so after that smart opening, the film devolves into clichéd expectation fulfillment.
However, scenes between Wally and six-year old Sebastian (Thomas Robinson), his son by the switch but a secret to mother and son for much of the film, are well-acted given the appropriate level of dialogue, their mutual respect, and the film's unwillingness to exploit Robinson's cuteness to elicit favorable reviews. But after all, like his dad, Sebastian's a pessimist with eccentric and sometimes macabre tastes, not always exploitable characteristics. In any case, these two actors are as good as one could expect to show a loving relationship between two eccentrics who don't know for some time they are related.
Saving the film from my impending "C" grade are Jeff Goldblum as Leonard, Wally's best male friend; the cute Thomas Robinson as Sebastian, Kassie's son; and manic Juliette Lewis as Debbie, Kassie's best girl friend. With weak competition like Bow Wow in Lottery Ticket, Aniston manages to be in a film just a bit above my average. Too bad because that opening is worth seeing just for itself.
- JohnDeSando
- Aug 18, 2010
- Permalink
Sperm Switch
The Switch is an easy to watch and enjoyable rom com movie. It's very cookie cutter which is both good and bad. It follows best friends who ultimately wind up in love after a bizarre and unconventional journey. Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman are exactly how you'd expect because they act the exact same in everything they do, which again is both good and bad. Regardless it's a light and fun enough movie to watch so it's worth it. IMDb does need to get rid of these character minimums because they are unnecessary and crazy to expect. I just want to watch movies and leave simple and easy reviews.
- RobTheWatcher
- Feb 21, 2023
- Permalink
Comedy with heart.
When I first saw the movie poster and trailer of this movie back in 2010, I thought..."Oh great, another Anniston movie... Going to be some heart warming flick with dumb jokes..." Then a few nights ago I was browsing around and saw this again, decided to watch it because Bateman is good actor. Needless to say, this movie was much better than expected!
I have always failed to see comedy in movies that show dumb things, aka Adam Sandler movies, etc. So seeing this film and the humor it included was great, though if you are expecting to laugh your ass off in this film, you won't, but its got light humor to make you smile meanwhile you start to enjoy the characters. Bateman was great, the kid was great, the story was not really focused on Anniston but she played her role well. Also this movie was not a hardcore chick flick, where everything was over the top romantic, rather you get to feel those emotions through the characters instead of them overstating everything. It displayed what men and women go through at that age of their lives (mid 30s to late 30s), and I feel they did a great job with it.
If you are looking for a film that will make you smile while touching your heart, I would definitely recommend this film.
I have always failed to see comedy in movies that show dumb things, aka Adam Sandler movies, etc. So seeing this film and the humor it included was great, though if you are expecting to laugh your ass off in this film, you won't, but its got light humor to make you smile meanwhile you start to enjoy the characters. Bateman was great, the kid was great, the story was not really focused on Anniston but she played her role well. Also this movie was not a hardcore chick flick, where everything was over the top romantic, rather you get to feel those emotions through the characters instead of them overstating everything. It displayed what men and women go through at that age of their lives (mid 30s to late 30s), and I feel they did a great job with it.
If you are looking for a film that will make you smile while touching your heart, I would definitely recommend this film.
The Switch
- katelynv11597
- Sep 27, 2014
- Permalink
Better than The Back Up Plan
- lisafordeay
- Mar 5, 2022
- Permalink
Abysmal
Absolutely horrendeous movie start to finish. I didn't have high expectations for this movie to start with, and thank god for that. Without giving away anything about the movie, it's generic to the max from start to finish.
For a so-called romantic movie it even wants to be, it lacks any form or spark from a viewer's perspective. Flat storyline, and beyond predictable.
If you want to save about an hour or hour and a half of your life, avoid this movie.
Abysmal sums it up.
For a so-called romantic movie it even wants to be, it lacks any form or spark from a viewer's perspective. Flat storyline, and beyond predictable.
If you want to save about an hour or hour and a half of your life, avoid this movie.
Abysmal sums it up.
I can never look at Dian Sawyer in the same way.
Wally Mars (Jason Bateman) is in love with Kassie Larson (Jennifer Aniston) But he does not know it. And Kassie has more than friendship feelings for Wally but does not show it. Now Kassie wants a baby to beat the biological clock but not with her best friend Wally. So, she chose a conception party where mutual friend Debbie (Juliette Lewis) introduces the "Baster" the original title of the movie from a short story. At the Party, a drunken Wally performs the switch or the new title of the movie.
The formula is common but the acting is pretty good. Excuse me if I do not go through the list of actors. However, Thomas Robinson was exceptionally good as the offspring Sebastian; hope to see more of his acting in the future. Dian Sawyer may have a promising career also.
The formula is common but the acting is pretty good. Excuse me if I do not go through the list of actors. However, Thomas Robinson was exceptionally good as the offspring Sebastian; hope to see more of his acting in the future. Dian Sawyer may have a promising career also.
- Bernie4444
- Apr 11, 2024
- Permalink
"The Switch" gives "chick flicks" a bad name
- chuck-reilly
- Sep 30, 2010
- Permalink
Way more enjoyable than I was expecting!
I went to see the sneak preview of this movie last night, walking in with low expectations. I'm not a huge fan of Jennifer Anniston, and the concept sounded a bit low brow...so I went in pretty cynical. I was pleasantly surprised! It not only "didn't suck" but was actually pretty great. I thought the subject could have easily made this very cringe worthy and hard to believe - and yet it was handled in such a way that it didn't seem THAT far-fetched (as Hollywood movies go)and the characters remained believable and even sympathetic at times.
I LOVED Jason Bateman's character. He is negative, neurotic, funny and cute all at the same time. Aniston played her role very classy, and did not try to be cutesy or overly dramatic.
I rarely believe cute little kids in movies, yet the show stealer for me was Sebastian, the son. This kid is going to be a super star one day if he keeps it up! He is just the right amount of adorable/quirky while never overdoing it. His big brown eyes well up with tears in just the right way (choked me up a couple of times), and yet could deliver 'quirk' with complete deadpan expression. Brilliant! All in all, I laughed, teared up, and managed to enjoy every minute of the experience. Is it Citizen Kane? No. But it's darn good entertainment.
I LOVED Jason Bateman's character. He is negative, neurotic, funny and cute all at the same time. Aniston played her role very classy, and did not try to be cutesy or overly dramatic.
I rarely believe cute little kids in movies, yet the show stealer for me was Sebastian, the son. This kid is going to be a super star one day if he keeps it up! He is just the right amount of adorable/quirky while never overdoing it. His big brown eyes well up with tears in just the right way (choked me up a couple of times), and yet could deliver 'quirk' with complete deadpan expression. Brilliant! All in all, I laughed, teared up, and managed to enjoy every minute of the experience. Is it Citizen Kane? No. But it's darn good entertainment.
- Rogerstella
- Aug 9, 2010
- Permalink
A more than decent romantic comedy.
'THE SWITCH': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
The second artificial insemination film I've seen in as many weeks (after 'THE KIDS ARE Alright'). This one has a great premise that turns into a predictable routine comedy but the performances are great and the directing is pretty impressive which results in a very funny and moving film. It's directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck (who also co-directed 'BLADES OF GLORY' and the Oscar nominated short film 'CULTURE') and written by All Loeb (who also wrote the drama suspense films '21' and the upcoming 'WALLSTREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS'). It's based on a short story by Jeffrey Eugenides (who also wrote the novel 'THE VIRGIN SUICIDES').
The film stars Jason Bateman as a neurotic insecure pessimist (or realist as he likes to call it) named Wally who is in love with his best friend Kassie (played by Jennifer Aniston) but is too afraid to tell her. Kassie is approaching 40 and really wants a child and realizes that with age her fertility rate declines. So unwilling to wait for her dream man to come along she decides to take the path of artificial insemination. Wally thinks this is a bad idea and tells her so but still cant confess his feelings for her so at her pregnancy party he gets hammered and 'hijacks' her sperm donation; he switches the sperm donor's (played by Patrick Wilson) sperm with his own. Since he's blacked out he forgets all about it but seven years later when Kassie and her son (played by Thomas Robinson) move back into town, after Kassie moves away before her son is born, Wally starts to notice striking resemblances between the boy and himself. This of course leads to a lot of drama.
After the great premise the movie pretty much writes itself and you can see everything coming but it's still fun to watch, very humorous and touching. I'm a big Jason Bateman fan and enjoy watching almost anything he's in. He's by far the star of the movie, he has almost twice the screen time that Aniston does (even though he's second billed to the bigger star). He has some great relate-able and touching character development and he and supporting player Jeff Goldblum are hilarious. Aniston is good at what little she has to do but her character is underdeveloped. The story focuses much more on Wally. The boy (Robinson) is impressive for a child actor but a lot of that is often due to good directing as well. A good director can get honest emotion and reactions from a child actor that's not too insecure to be themselves. Wilson is good as the antagonist and it's refreshing to see his character not dumb-ed down and actually portrayed as a likable guy. The screenplay does become somewhat clichéd but it's decent and the directing and acting are impressive. It's a romantic comedy that's definitely worth passing your time with.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YDpWRaEnYQ
The second artificial insemination film I've seen in as many weeks (after 'THE KIDS ARE Alright'). This one has a great premise that turns into a predictable routine comedy but the performances are great and the directing is pretty impressive which results in a very funny and moving film. It's directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck (who also co-directed 'BLADES OF GLORY' and the Oscar nominated short film 'CULTURE') and written by All Loeb (who also wrote the drama suspense films '21' and the upcoming 'WALLSTREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS'). It's based on a short story by Jeffrey Eugenides (who also wrote the novel 'THE VIRGIN SUICIDES').
The film stars Jason Bateman as a neurotic insecure pessimist (or realist as he likes to call it) named Wally who is in love with his best friend Kassie (played by Jennifer Aniston) but is too afraid to tell her. Kassie is approaching 40 and really wants a child and realizes that with age her fertility rate declines. So unwilling to wait for her dream man to come along she decides to take the path of artificial insemination. Wally thinks this is a bad idea and tells her so but still cant confess his feelings for her so at her pregnancy party he gets hammered and 'hijacks' her sperm donation; he switches the sperm donor's (played by Patrick Wilson) sperm with his own. Since he's blacked out he forgets all about it but seven years later when Kassie and her son (played by Thomas Robinson) move back into town, after Kassie moves away before her son is born, Wally starts to notice striking resemblances between the boy and himself. This of course leads to a lot of drama.
After the great premise the movie pretty much writes itself and you can see everything coming but it's still fun to watch, very humorous and touching. I'm a big Jason Bateman fan and enjoy watching almost anything he's in. He's by far the star of the movie, he has almost twice the screen time that Aniston does (even though he's second billed to the bigger star). He has some great relate-able and touching character development and he and supporting player Jeff Goldblum are hilarious. Aniston is good at what little she has to do but her character is underdeveloped. The story focuses much more on Wally. The boy (Robinson) is impressive for a child actor but a lot of that is often due to good directing as well. A good director can get honest emotion and reactions from a child actor that's not too insecure to be themselves. Wilson is good as the antagonist and it's refreshing to see his character not dumb-ed down and actually portrayed as a likable guy. The screenplay does become somewhat clichéd but it's decent and the directing and acting are impressive. It's a romantic comedy that's definitely worth passing your time with.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YDpWRaEnYQ
This movie is just disturbing
- tigerstar0021
- Oct 11, 2010
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