The Switch

3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (233 customer reviews)
Jennifer Aniston stars alongside Jason Bateman in this offbeat comedy as Kassie, a smart, fun-loving single woman who, despite her neurotic best friend Wally's (Bateman) objections, decides it's time to have a baby - even if it means doing it herself...with a little help from a charming sperm donor (Patrick ... Wilson).
  • Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman
  • Directed by: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
  • Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
  • Release year: 2011
  • Studio: Lionsgate
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The Switch [Blu-ray]
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Product Details
Synopsis: Jennifer Aniston stars alongside Jason Bateman in this offbeat comedy as Kassie, a smart, fun-loving single woman who, despite her neurotic best friend Wally's (Bateman) objections, decides it's time to have a baby - even if it means doing it herself...with a little help from a charming sperm donor (Patrick Wilson).
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman
Supporting actors: Patrick Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, Juliette Lewis
Directed by: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 2011
Studio: Lionsgate
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual material including dialogue, some nudity, drug use and language
ASIN: B004P000BU (Rental) and B004P03FBW (Purchase)
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Rental rights: 24 hour viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: March 15, 2011
  • MPAA: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual material including dialogue, some nudity, drug use and language
  • Production Company: Mandate Pictures, Bona Fide Productions, Echo Films
  • Filming Locations: 2nd Ave & E 56th St, New York City, New York, USA | 775 Washington St, New York City, New York, USA | 8th Ave & W 19th St, New York City, New York, USA | Roosevelt Hotel - 45th Street & Madison Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA | W Broadway & Franklin St, New York City, New York, USA

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
90 of 98 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars So Much Better Than I Ever Expected February 18, 2011
Format:DVD
Every so often there comes along a movie that most mainstream critics just don't like and I do. The Switch is one of those movies. Far nicer and sweeter than I expected, you may not LOVE this movie, but if it doesn't make you smile, there is something wrong with you.

Jennifer Aniston plays Kassie, a woman who is tired of waiting on a seemingly non-existent Mr. Right to start a family. She decides to find a donor who is tall and has a good sense of humor (traits not possessed by her best friend, the neurotic Wally (Jason Bateman)) and hold a very special gathering for friends and family. At this "insemination party", a very drunk Wally decides to 'switch' her donor's ingredient for his own, thus secretly hijacking her pregnancy. Fast-forward seven years and we meet Sebastian, Kassie's child, who is becoming more and more like his real father Wally by the day.

There is an underlying sad tension building all throughout the movie as we wait for the moment when Wally will put two and two together and remember what he did that fateful night, and then when he must reveal this dirty secret to Kassie. My guess is this is why some critics didn't like it. If you go into it with a better perspective though, it is more about how Wally decides he is ready to commit to this young child as a father, and how he is a better person for it, regardless of how everything ends up. A couple of scenes are downright touching, and the ending, while somewhat rushed and flawed, didn't ruin the story. I was not expecting much and in return got a whole lot.
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Warm surprise March 19, 2011
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm a rom-com junkie who's mighty frustrated with the genre--how can most of these films be sub-par? doesn't that go against the rules of statistics?--and yet I must say I was pleasantly surprised by The Switch. It's a cut above the norm, mostly because of the relationship between father and son, which is warmly, sweetly, comedically and endearingly acted.

This film is Hollywood; despite a strange lull after the "switch" which suggests the pacing might go indie, it returns to Hollywood momentum. Which is fine, but the editing is slightly off there. That said, the charm and comedy of the father and son really do make this movie. I'm not into the standard manipulation of cute faces and piping voices for ratings, but these two are really sweet magic together.

Bateman's acting is touchingly understated when he's with the kid; the child (Thomas Robinson) is earnest and adorable and is so natural in his connection with his father. Aniston picks up credibility in a few of the intimate moments she has with Bateman--you feel her looking at him and being moved and wanting/wondering--but overall this really is a Bateman/Robinson movie.

I don't dislike Aniston in general, but I absolutely didn't "feel" her the way I did the other two. The movie has the usual Hollywood stock characters for best friends; Jeff Goldblum is amusing in a slightly quieter way than usual. But it's Bateman and Robinson, as a duo and separately, that make the movie a four star in its genre--and that make you long for the Bateman/Aniston characters to live happily ever after.

I rented it thinking it would be bad fluff. I watched it half-over again later that night, just to laugh and love a bit more with the father/son duo, and now I'm going to buy it for real. This isn't going to be the best romantic comedy you'll have ever watched (I hope), but it's not at all a bad way to spend a couple hours. :)
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Admiration of Comedic Timing in a Fine Cast March 19, 2011
Format:DVD
THE SWITCH is another story about artificial insemination and the impact it has on the participants. Yes, it has been done many times with varying results, but what makes this version of the story different and worthy of merit and attention is the sparkling screenplay by Allan Loeb adapted from the short story 'Baster' by gifted author Jeffrey Eugenides ('Middlesex', 'The Virgin Suicides', 'My Mistress's Sparrow is Dead', and short stories 'The Speed of Sperm', 'Air Mail', 'Ancient Myths', etc). It is a film that gives us the opportunity to remember the fine comic time of Jeff Goldblum, Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, and Juliet Lewis, courtesy of the fine direction by Josh Gordon and Will Speck..

Wally Mars (Jason Bateman) is an oddly neurotic character who has a very difficult time connecting to people, especially in the dating department. His best friend is Kassie Larson (Jennifer Aniston) a successful woman who abruptly decides her biologic clock is ticking down and decides to have a baby by paying a sperm donor. Wally is shocked, but Kassie's other best friend Debbie (Juliette Lewis, bubbling brilliantly) supports her conviction to take charge of her life and plans a party to celebrate Kassie's incipient 'donation'. Kassie selects a potential donor in Roland (Patrick Wilson) who is a square and married teacher but 'needs the money'. At the party when the 'donation' is to be deposited, Wally gets drunk and accidentally spills Roland's 'contribution', and in drunken desperation replaces it with his own - a secret he doesn't even share with Leonard (Jeff Goldblum) with whom he works and has a strong friendship. The inseminated Kassie moves back home, returning seven years later with her six-year old son Sebastian (Thomas Robinson, a very fine child actor). Kassie courts the now divorced Roland, a blow to Wally who in his 'babysitting' chores grows close to Sebastian who is very much like Wally. How the story ends is predictable but heartwarmingly humorous, especially watching the relationship between Wally and Sebastian develop.

In addition to the strong cast of leading actors there are cameos by Kelli Barrett and especially the significantly impressive Scott Elrod (watch this young actor's career blossom!). Largely due to the smart dialogue delivered by specialists in comedy, this film works well. Grady Harp, March 11
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars THE SWITCH
You could see how this could happen. Love is Good, Sad, and Funny. This is all three. Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman both play good parts,
Published 9 hours ago by granny
4.0 out of 5 stars The switch
Other than the fact I enjoyed this film any additional verbage is a waste of time. I find this process is distracting from the pleasure of watching a good movie.
Published 2 days ago by dave l
5.0 out of 5 stars fun
Justin Bateman is funny in this movies. It has a very good ending that will make people happy. I like Jennifer Aniston since friend.
Published 9 days ago by Irish Mc
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny
Cute funny movie about friendship, babies and crazyness... I really enjoyed it I love Jennifer Anniston - I thought it was a fun movie....
Published 9 days ago by Carol Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars The Switch
A plan which comes undone when a jealous friend comes between and shuffles things around some! Very cute movie - realistic!
Published 15 days ago by Karen McClain
3.0 out of 5 stars chick flick
It was very typical that they'd end up together. For once, I'd love to see a couple who doesn't make it but still have a happy ending. Read more
Published 19 days ago by A. Fryar
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed this movie
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Will definitely download it permanently to my tablet soon as I'm able. Jason Bateman has always made me laugh.
Published 19 days ago by Krystal
4.0 out of 5 stars The Switch
This movie was really cute. Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston were good in it and I liked their chemistry together
Published 28 days ago by Deborah Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars The Switch
I thought Jennifer Aniston was fantastic as always!! The movie was funny and warm and moving!! I would recommend it to anyone!!
Published 1 month ago by Sarah
4.0 out of 5 stars A movie you won't want to miss !
i loved the movie, funny, I would give it as a gift to someone. I for sure will be watching the movie again ,If you haven't seen it get it.
Published 1 month ago by Hershey
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