It's Freaky Friday with dudes! That doesn't make it better. In The Change-Up, Jason Bateman is Dave - the married guy with the wonderful wife (Leslie Mann), 3 kids and a career path leading to partner at his law firm.
Ryan Reynolds is Mitch - the irresponsible ladies man and failed actor who gets to party all day and all night with all sorts of beautiful women.
Of course, each one wants the other's life, and they get their wish after a night of drunkenness that leads to them relieving themselves in a mysterious fountain, while asking to switch lives.
Gee, do you think each one might realize the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence?
Can they find the fountain when they realize the horrible mistake they have made?
Here's the deal with The Change-Up. In the beginning, everyone involved wants to make it as R-rated, gross and vulgar as possible, which is tired and forced. Writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore obviously and painfully try to jump on the bandwagon of successful R-rated comedies like The Hangover or Bridesmaids hoping it will lead to box office gold, but none of it feels organic and real. They are tossing in language and potty humor without a purpose or reason that naturally makes sense.
However, once they get it out of their system, Moore, Lucas and director David Dobkin get to focus on the story, the characters, the dialogue and all of the emotion and nuance. You know, the stuff that makes a movie good.
Bateman and Reynolds get to show you they can be funny and heartwarming at the same time, even with average material. Bateman seems to take some joy in getting a chance to play the uninhibited guy for a change, and brings some real heart to the party boy when he starts to realize what it is costing him.
Meanwhile, Reynolds plays the nerd, which has probably never happened to Mr. Gorgeous one day in his entire life. He might not be as believable as Bateman, but he does deliver in the most important moment in the movie.
If you can withstand the onslaught of vulgarity that will offend your greater sensibilities in the beginning of the movie, The Change-Up finally becomes sweet and entertaining towards the end.
2 Waffles (Out of 4)
The Change-Up is rated R for pervasive strong crude sexual content and language, some graphic nudity and drug use
However, once they get it out of their system, Moore, Lucas and director David Dobkin get to focus on the story, the characters, the dialogue and all of the emotion and nuance. You know, the stuff that makes a movie good.
Bateman and Reynolds get to show you they can be funny and heartwarming at the same time, even with average material. Bateman seems to take some joy in getting a chance to play the uninhibited guy for a change, and brings some real heart to the party boy when he starts to realize what it is costing him.
Meanwhile, Reynolds plays the nerd, which has probably never happened to Mr. Gorgeous one day in his entire life. He might not be as believable as Bateman, but he does deliver in the most important moment in the movie.
If you can withstand the onslaught of vulgarity that will offend your greater sensibilities in the beginning of the movie, The Change-Up finally becomes sweet and entertaining towards the end.
2 Waffles (Out of 4)
The Change-Up is rated R for pervasive strong crude sexual content and language, some graphic nudity and drug use
