The Change-Up

The Change-Up

Directed by David Dobkin

Starring: Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Mann, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin

Imagine Freaky Friday meets American Pie and you might be in the same ballpark as The Change-Up. The film’s director is David Dobkin who is responsible for films like Fred Claus and Wedding Crashers. This time he has Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman in this irreverent comedy about whether or not the grass is greener on the other side.

The story finds best friends Mitch (Reynolds) and Dave (Bateman) in different worlds. Dave is a successful lawyer with three children and a beautiful wife. Mitch is a pot-smoking lazy struggling actor with no family and a string of beautiful one-night stands. The two are opposites in almost every way and both of them need a change. Mysterious events place them in each other’s shoes (literally) where they learn what life is like on the other side. Mitch is now forced to be the successful husband and father. Dave, on the other hand, gets to be the slacker he never got to be. As you might expect the two find themselves opening up to the way the other half lives. As they do they also grow to appreciate what they have.

This is a raunchy comedy which defies any description. The comedy is great and plays off of the awkward situations the two friends find themselves in as they live each other’s lives. The story is total fantasy but makes for a good watch anyways. The two main writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore have previously collaborated on The Hangover and The Hangover Part II. This is evident early in the film as the limits are pushed in every direction. I hope this makes it clear that your kids shouldn’t be enjoying this film any time soon. Despite being funny it’s an adult comedy for mature viewers only.

I give this film 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Rating: R

Running Time: 112 minutes