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Thursday, October 28, 2010

[5.25/10] The Switch (2010)


The Switch (2010)

"The Switch" centers on a neurotic and insecure man, who finds out his best friend wants to have a child through artificial insemination. He surreptitiously replaces her donor's semen with his own and is then forced to live with the secret that he is the child's real father. Unfortunately, the latest 'dramedy' starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman is nothing special. Despite it has a good premise, sympathetic characters and engaging cast, "The Switch" falls short, as it suffers from cliche-ridden, alsmost joyless script and weird humor that rarely works. Jason Bateman delivers an above average performance as the insecure, confused and oddly charming Wally, though I like him much better as a dramatic actor rather as a comedian, because I've always thought that as a comedian he's either mildly funny or not funny at all. Thankfully, his performance here skilfully blends comedy with drama, and the result is rather satisfying. Jennifer Aniston is sweet as always and she turns out a decent performance as Kassie, though her role in this film isn't very major or very important. Sadly, there isn't any real chemistry between Aniston and Bateman, and don't make a believable couple. Thomas Robinson's character Sebastian is my favorite - he's adorable, smart and delightfully weird, and the relationship between him and Wally feels absolutely sincere. Juliette Lewis is cute, funny and eccentric as usual, and she steals the show everytime she's on screen. Technically, "The Switch" is average at best - the pacing is smooth, the editing is finely done and, Gordon and Speck's direction is good, though a bit unimpressive. By-the-numbers and occasionally entertaining, yet well-acted and pretty watchable, "The Switch" is an okay hybrid of comedy and drama, that certainly has its moments, but it lacks big laughs and comedic value.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

I love Aniston, I feel that she has so much more potential before she hangs up her Hollywood career boots. I think she can try other genre, like horror perhaps?

What do you think?

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

I like her as well, J-son, though I don't really thing that she belongs in horror genre. Having said that, I also couldn't imagine that an actress like Calista Flockhart (yes, Ally McBeal) would be an appropriate choice as a lead in horror movie, but... oh boy, I was so wrong - she did an incredible job in "Fragile". You should see this horror flick, buddy.. it was pretty good actually.

Jaccstev said...

Aniston in horror movie, I think she may be good playing a hilarious zombie ;)

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

Or she might be good playing a crazy female demon on crack? :)

Dempsey Sanders said...

I always give Aniston a go in whatever movie shes in because I really like her, but she does pick some stinkers sometimes, will give this a go and hopefully will give me a few laughs, fair post, nice one george

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

I've made some stupid technical mistakes in this post, haven't I? :) Fixed it though.

Aniston is a sweetheart and I like her a lot, but I prefer to watch her in TV series like "Friends" rather than lame comedies like "The Bounty Hunter" for example.

Unknown said...

The story is great indeed! Hope to see Aniston playing a crazy woman who suck blood..