Switch (2011)

When it’s over, there are some good laughs and touching moments in this film about mistaken sperm identities.  Best friends, Kassie and Wally (Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman), are in disagreement when Kassie decides to proceed with artificial insemination.  Seven years later, they are reunited along with Kassie’s son, Sebastian (Thomas Robinson) in tow.  Upon seeing the similarities he shares with Sebastian, Wally comes to the realization that he was the sperm donor for Sebastian.  Aniston may be the star of the film, but her character’s forgettable, and it’s Bateman and Robinson that bring emotional value to this comedy about a father and son finding each other.  Surprisingly, I really liked Bateman as the overnight father who realizes he needed Sebastian just as much as the boy needed him.  The scenes between the two were sweet, especially the scene when Sebastian described his imaginary family through pictures of strangers from store bought photo frames.  This scene captured Sebastian’s strong desire to understand where he came from and who his family are.  By using his imagination, he tried to fill the gaps his mother could not.  At first quirky, this film evolved into an endearing portrait of a man who finds his voice and a child who finds a way to belong.


My rating:  3.5 out of 5