Review of The Switch (2010) by Mark J — 28 Apr 2011

This is not a perfect film - setting aside the key plot element (artificial insemination for a single woman to have a baby), there are some woefully cardboard performances (Patrick Wilson as the "donor", Juliette Lewis as the "catty friend"). Jennifer Aniston & Jeff Goldblum both play, well, standard Jennifer Aniston & Jeff Goldblum characters - no surprises here.

But Thomas Robinson (the child) feels like a real kid with quirks & warmth & anger. And Jason Bateman does an amazing job in making a pretty unlikeable character into a fully realized human being that we find ourselves rooting for...

While much of the movie is pretty predictable, I really like a moment between Jason B. & Thomas R. - where a simple gift (thankfully without exposition or explanation) tells so much about both characters - a beautifully written & performed scene.

At it's heart, this is NOT a romantic comedy - nor is it really a chick flick. The story here is about the best friend - a story of unrequited love, immense drunken stupidity & the willingness to take responsibility as an act of love.