The Switch really is a strange mix of high and low culture. Its stars, Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman are both American sitcom alumni but have very different associations; Aniston as a populist icon thanks to Friends, and Bateman as toast of the indie set having starred in the exceptionally odd but critically acclaimed Arrested Development. The plot, in which a man becomes father to his best friend’s child after drunkenly disposing of the sperm donor’s contribution and replacing it with his own, sounds like something the Farrelly brothers would dream up but is in fact adapted from a short story by acclaimed author Jeffrey Eugenides (The Virgin Suicides). Finally, this is a romantic comedy from the directing team behind Blades of Glory yet is leftfield enough to cast Jeff Goldblum and Juliette Lewis in those typical rom-com roles of the leads’ best friends. Curioser and curioser!
The result of this unusual cinematic chemistry is a witty and endearing romantic comedy that remains gratifyingly free of saccharin thanks to a neat plot twist that takes the pregnant Cassie (Aniston) away from New York for seven years, unaware that she is really carrying her best friend’s child. This neatly sidesteps any potential cooing over babies and instead introduces us to the result of Cassie and Wally’s unusual union when he has grown into a doleful, pessimistic young boy. Thomas Robinson is excellent in the role; his big, sad eyes perfectly capturing the mournfulness of an old soul.
The adults acquit themselves equally well. Aniston may not get much of a chance to flex her comedic muscles but she puts in a likable performance as the well-adjusted straight woman to Bateman’s bundle of neuroses. The pair play well against each other, convincing as best friends in the When Harry Met Sally mode. Goldblum meanwhile is a treat as Wally’s louche boss/father figure, effortlessly stealing all of his scenes.
All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by The Switch; a genuinely funny script blends with likable characters to make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience that is head and shoulders above much of its romantic comedy competition.