Directors: Josh Gordon and Will Speck
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Jeff Goldblum, Juliette Lewis
The Switch unites television royalty Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman as the close friends Kassie and Wally. Kassie is determined to have a child, and opts to have one using a handsome and successful donor. However, complications ensue, and seven years later, Kassie returns to New York with her son Sebastian, who suspiciously exhibits the same mannerisms as Wally. Wally must come to terms with his feelings for Kassie, while at the same time finding a way to tell her that he is Sebastian's father. It's the latest in an odd stable of similarly themed Hollywood films that includes The Back Up Plan and Baby Mama, but has admittedly a unique twist. Sadly, despite a novel plot device, The Switch is a disappointingly formulaic film and at times quite soulless. The final act in particular holds few surprises and is only slightly lifted by some nice chemistry between Aniston and Bateman. A surprise bonus, however, comes in the form of Jeff Goldblum and Juliette Lewis as friends of Kassie and Wally. What clearly are meant to be contrived "buddy" roles are given an extra dimension, thanks to the charisma of the pair. Overall, though, a good cast is wasted on a plot that is, dare we say it, ill-conceived.
