Reel Review: Strong, likable cast saves awkward plot in "The Switch"

The romantic comedy “The Switch” (PG-13), starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman, is a story about a hijacked pregnancy that transforms into a surprisingly funny, smart, and heartfelt movie experience.
          Set in New York, the story starts with Kassie Larson (Aniston), a working woman who decides to a have a baby on her own. She shares this life-changing news with her best friend, neurotic stock analyst Wally Mars (Bateman).
          But Wally does not take Kassie’s announcement very well, which leads to the film’s major plot device.
          At Kassie’s “insemination party,” Wally drunkenly spills her donor’s sperm and replaces it with his own. An inexperienced partier, he forgets his misconduct and says goodbye as Kassie decides to move away to raise her child.
          The film jumps forward seven years as Kassie returns to the city for a job. “Uncle” Wally can’t help but notice the striking similarities between himself and his friend’s oddly phobic, 6-year-old son Sebastian (Thomas Robinson). With his friend Leonard’s (Jeff Goldblum) assistance, Wally remembers what he did. The story then centers on Wally bonding with Sebastian and finding a way to tell Kassie the truth.
          “The Switch” may be named after an awkward plot device, but the story works because the wonderfully flawed, relatable characters are in the hands of capable and likable actors. Bateman largely deserves the credit for the film’s heart and charm, but he is not the only one.
          Eight-year-old Robinson is fantastically bossy, stubborn and endearing as the precocious and doe-eyed Sebastian. The most resonant scenes in the film occur between Robinson and Bateman because they feel sincere and natural. Aniston is also a smart choice for Kassie with her comedic timing and strong but sweat demeanor. Though, she is given very little room to stretch her acting muscles as she takes a backburner to Bateman’s performance.
          The film’s only weakness is its misdirected dalliance into clichéd rom-com territory with a brief and feebly executed love triangle. Its saving grace is the film’s quick pacing, which allows more time to be spent watching Wally and Sebastian.
         The comedy deftly straddles the line between being quirky and sentimental. It is touching, but it is never annoyingly heartbreaking or cute. Overall, it’s a feel-good film with enough humor, intelligence and heart to not feel like a guilty pleasure.

Final Grade: B (3 out of 4 stars)

Check out the trailer below:





Sources/Links:
"The Switch" Official web site
EW: "The Switch" Review
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