Based on dramatic writer Jeffrey Eugenides' short story "Baster", this slow-going but lighthearted rom-com explores the aftermath of a drunken evening where one man must cover up a mistake by replacing a flushed sperm sample with his own, resulting in his friend unwittingly becoming pregnant with his child.
Though it seems like a frightening prospect at best, this lightehearted film benefits from some decent comic timing by an otherwise deadpan Jason Bateman (Up in the Air), with some help from Jeff Goldblum (Morning Glory).
An Overview of The Switch
Kassie Larson (Jennifer Aniston, Marley & Me) and Wally Mars (Jason Bateman) have been friends for years and have always been there for each other for moral support. Though poor pessimistic/realistic Wally has always harbored secret feelings for his friend, their relationship has been on a platonic level which would make romance unlikely or awkward at best.
When Kassie expresses an urge to have a child despite her lack of a husband or boyfriend, Wally feels somewhat taken aback that she wouldn't consider him for a sperm donor. He falls into a funk but still tries to be supportive of his friend.
Kassie's eccentric friend Debbie (Juliette Lewis, Whip It) helps her organize an "insemination party", at which she is to celebrate the obtention of a viable sample from a willing married man (Patrick Wilson, Watchmen, The A-Team).
Whether as a result of a bout of jealousy or simple depression, Wally starts drinking heavily and swallows some pills passed on by Debbie (never a good sign). Completely drunk, he stumbles to the nearest bathroom, where he happens to find Kassie's precious sample. After examining it out of sheer curiosity, Wally accidentally drops the jar and spills the sample down the drain. In his drunken stupor, he decides to replace the sample with his own seed to cover his tracks.
Kassie moves away to live near her parents and give birth while Wally remains in New York City, working with his business friend Leonard (Jeff Goldblum). Having no recollection of his actions, imagine his surprise when Kassie returns to town after 7 years with a boy who bears some strange physical and behavioural similarities to him.
To make matters worse, it appears Kassie is beginning a romance with the original sperm donor Roland (Wilson), now divorced. Can Wally muster up the courage to finally tell his friend the truth? Would coming clean possibly end their friendship?
The Switch as Generic Rom-Com
There's definitely some humor to be found between bittersweet moments in this film. Though lead star Jennifer Aniston is relegated to straight man in this comedic duo, that title is better attributed to Bateman and Goldblum, in any scene where Wally agonizes over the error of his ways and the irreversible blunder he committed after blacking out from a binge night.
I felt that some of the scenes had the same dynamic as some Billy Crystal/Bruno Kirby scenes in When Harry Met Sally, only without the finesse of Nora Ephron's quill. Goldblum has great chemistry with most co-stars, the camaraderie with Bateman seen here is evident.
Jason Bateman gets to flex his acting muscles in what appears to be his first romantic lead role since Teen Wolf Too, having mostly played minor roles or second banana in the majority of his movie appearances since the late 80s.
Jennifer Aniston isn't offering us anything new here, at least nothing you haven't already seen in The Object of My Affection, Love Happens, The Break-Up, Along Came Polly or even Office Space. Unlike Angelina Jolie who has transitioned into action roles, Aniston is the go-to rom-com star, even though her performance rarely improves after so many of them.
I'd say the biggest strengths of The Switch lies in its male stars with help from a decent script which balances the film's emotional ups and downs with aplomb.
This bluray comes with the usual making-of spots and a bevy of previews. I'd suggest you check out the blooper reel for more of the same subtle laughs peppered throughout the film.
The Switch Bluray: 3 out of 5
Dominic Messier - Dominic Messier is a Toronto-based Film & TV writer, Sci-Fi TV and Film Dramas Topic Editor, and creator of PopCultureLandscape.com
