Review of The Switch (2010) by Tammy L — 15 Apr 2011

The story was OK, a little dumb but plausible to some degree. Jennifer Aniston was decent but nothing to write home about. If you've seen a romcom with her in it, then you've seen her acting chops in this range.

And to be frank, there were times when she just didn't seem there; almost as if she was wondering why she signed on to make this movie in the first place. Jason Bateman, who plays the long-time friend who not-so-secretly wants more than friendship, does a good job with what he is given.

He is a likable character yet annoyingly frustrating at the same time. Classic Bateman, in my opinion. The biggest problem here is that the chemistry between Aniston and Bateman is non-existent. It is horrible.

I have no belief that she has any feelings for him and his feelings for her come across as empty and embarrassing. I can totally believe that Aniston would rather be friends than lovers but the amount of emotion she shows is rather small anyways.

Now, the interaction between Bateman and Thomas Robinson, who plays Aniston's son, is great and believable. Some awkward moments turn into touching scenes with these two working off of one another.

Very good casting in this department. Jeff Goldblum wasn't right. It was like the producers expected Goldblum, circa 1993 and ended up with a poor man's version instead. I thought he was just bad.

Patrick Wilson is a body, that is all. He takes desperation to a new level as a man who donates the sperm for Aniston's child and then when the movie revisits him, he is a just divorced man whose wife cheated on him with a Pilates instructor.

Nothing special with him. This movie didn't get good reviews when it came out in theaters and I can understand why. A poor script, a lead actress who mailed it in on day one of shooting and a substandard supporting cast that, in name, should have been much better.

Bateman and the kid are the reasons to watch this.