The Switch

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening this Friday in theatres is director Josh Gordon and Will Speck’s take on what happens when you wait around for something to happen with Miramax Films release of “The Switch”.

This film tells the story of Kassie (Jennifer Aniston), a woman who is tired of waiting for life to bring her a family. Wally, Kassie’s bff, is having problems of his own being a little self-absorbed and neurotic while at the same time being high successful stock-broker in a firm with partner Leonard (Jeff Goldblum).

Wally is also little upset that Kassie didn’t ask him to be her donor but instead she asks Wally to help her find the perfect donor. Eventually, Kassie settles on Mr. Perfect Roland (Patrick Wilson) and to celebrate she throws an insemination party thrown by her friend Debbie (Juliette Lewis) attended by Wally.

High fun and free flowing alcohol causes Wally to do something he otherwise might not have done. Kassie becomes pregnant and moves away to have her baby. Seven years later Kassie comes back to town with her son Sebastian (Thomas Robinson). Wally and Sebastian find they have a lot in common – like neurosis!

Wally must come to terms with what he thinks he knows and how he truly feels – and that isn’t easy when your not use to taking risks.

FINAL WORD: Aniston is fine in her role as Kassie. The problem, if you are actually looking for one, is that Aniston is playing the same character. Yes, she is very lovely woman and yes she can be fun – no, it’s not fun and lovely if it’s the same character over and over.

Bateman is once again the winner here. There is something about this actor that draws audiences in. His comedic timing is just as cool as his sentimental moments where his character shows it’s quite all right to have feelings – as long as he doesn’t need a prescription for it afterward.

About his role Bateman says, “As far as the comedy goes it’s not pie in the face, winky, slapstick, kind of broad comedy. It’s whatever laughs would come from people being in a real situation, so we never lean into any of the stuff and it’s not some knee-slapping, silly comedy. Its character driven with a lot of reactions—stuff that I really like to do and it’s material that makes me laugh, so if I’ve ever made you laugh then you’d probably like this.”        

The second winner here is the young man playing Sebastian. Robinson is quite the small actor and will probably cause a few sniffles here and there. Goldblum offers his comedic side after a long stay away from the big screen.

Directors Gordon and Speck worked together in another comedy in 2007 with Will Ferrell in “Blades of Glory” for Dreamworks. Another piece of work these two share in directing is the now famous Cavemen of the Geico commercials.

Other cast include: Juliette Lewis as Debbie, Todd Louiso as Arty, Scott Elrod as Declan, Caroline Dhavernas as Pauline and Victor Pagan as the Knit Hat Guy.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “The Switch” three tubs of popcorn out of five. This film isn’t by any stretch of the imagination rocket science in its plot. It is heart warming and fun. The characters are equally endearing and the story is easy to follow. There are the usual human complications but nothing earth shattering.

“The Switch” is actually based on the short story “The Baster” by Pulitzer Prize winner novelist Jeffrey Eugenides.

In the end it’s the most unexpected comedy ever conceived.