The Switch (2010)

All Critics (145) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (75) | Rotten (73) | DVD (8)

The comedy itself suffers from awkward scheduling. Though this isn't its only wrinkle.

August 20, 2010 Full Review | Comment

Lisa Kennedy

Denver Post

Top Critic

It's not a bad film, really, just sort of average. But Bateman is so good in it -- natural, funny, yet full of real emotion -- that you immediately want to see him again in a better film.

August 20, 2010 Full Review | Comments (2)

Tom Long

Detroit News

Top Critic

Aside from the fact that it's all too entirely predictable, The Switch is a pleasant enough end-of-the-summer time killer.

August 20, 2010 Full Review | Comment

Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

Top Critic

This New York-based comedy directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck distinguishes itself with three-dimensional characters and an engaging storyline.

August 20, 2010 Full Review | Comment

Joshua Katzman

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Likable cast wasted in a dopey comedy. But hey, at least it has the first head-lice-removal instructional montage in romcom history.

August 20, 2010 Full Review | Comments (2)

Richard Roeper

Richard Roeper.com

Top Critic

A warm, quirkily observant film, strengthened by some appealing performances and a low-key, easygoing vibe.

August 20, 2010 Full Review | Comment

Ann Hornaday

Washington Post

Top Critic

Bateman and Aniston are fine but don't have any real chemistry together, whilst the direction is flat and rather uninteresting. It has the occasional good moment, but "The Switch" fails to push any buttons. Or, indeed, pull any switches.

December 13, 2011 Full Review | Comment

Laurence Boyce

The Baltic Times

despite a novel plot device, The Switch is a disappointingly formulaic film and at times quite soulless.

August 30, 2011 Full Review | Comment

James Luxford

The National

A misjudged lightness of tone and a predictable structure neuter the neuroticism and strange maliciousness of this Jennifer Aniston/Jason Bateman rom-com.

August 15, 2011 Full Review | Comment

Sarah Sluis

Film Journal International

Despite a strong cast and technical specs, The Switch remains another easily disposable entertainment built out of the rubble of a promising literary prospect.

April 1, 2011 Full Review | Comment

Chris Cabin

Slant Magazine

Though sold as pure silliness, the picture has an encouraging weight to it that makes it float evenly, pushed along by actors and filmmakers invested in extracting the sincerity out of a coldly wacky premise.

March 19, 2011 Full Review | Comment

Brian Orndorf

BrianOrndorf.com

A walkout-bad, 'bait and switch' rip-off bearing less resemblance to Juno or Little Miss Sunshine than to terrible TV sitcoms revolving around the shopworn 'one big lie' plot device.

March 11, 2011 Full Review | Comment

Kam Williams

NewsBlaze

You have to overlook a whole lot of guff in order to enjoy the slight but pleasurable entertainment of The Switch.

January 31, 2011 Full Review | Comment

Rene Rodriguez

Miami Herald

Directors Josh Gordon and Will Speck find some heart and wit in the screenplay, and they draw a strong performance from Bateman, who?s funny and sympathetic as the lovelorn Wally.

October 8, 2010 Full Review | Comment

Sean Means

Salt Lake Tribune

I would describe this movie first as sweet, then as funny - though the funny is definitely present, either dry and sly, or big and farcical. It's definitely a movie worth checking out.

October 1, 2010 Full Review | Comment

Karina Montgomery

rec.arts.movies.reviews

Another week, another Jennifer Aniston rom-com. This one's passable, but saddled with a problematic central plot device.

September 9, 2010 Full Review | Comment

Catherine Bray

Film4

Aniston still has a winning way with a comic line although it is really Bateman who carries the film, yet even his understated performance is consistently upstaged by young Robinson.

September 7, 2010 Full Review | Comment

Allan Hunter

Daily Express

As pleasant as a daylight stroll across Central Park in the summer.

September 6, 2010 Full Review | Comment (1)

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

On some level, Wally is acting out on his deep feelings, and what he's doing to his "friend" is a violation of her dignity not far removed from rape.

September 5, 2010 Full Review | Comments (2)

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films Guide

One of the main problems here is that there is zero chemistry between the two leads -- and we're not given any real reason to root for them to get together.

September 3, 2010 Full Review | Comments (2)

Catherine Jones

Liverpool Echo

Let down by inconsistent characterisation and finally ending in gloopy sentimentality and silliness.

September 2, 2010 Full Review | Comment (1)

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian [UK]

Aniston has wasted herself on some pretty thankless roles recently, but she is exactly right for this movie.

September 2, 2010 Full Review | Comment (1)

Christopher Tookey

Daily Mail [UK]

It strains to portray a progressive modern woman, but Aniston's role is the weakest link.

September 2, 2010 Comment (1)

Josh Winning

Little White Lies

• 1. Wally: Look at us, running around. Always rushed, always late. I guess that's why they call it the human race. What we crave most in this world is connection. For some people it happens at first site. It's when you know you know. It's fate working its magic. And that's great for them. They get to live in a pop song. Ride the express train. But that's not the way it really works. For the rest of us, it's a bit less romantic. It's complicated, it's messy. It's about horrible timing, and fumbled opportunities. And not being able to say what you need to say when you need to say it. At least, that's the way it was for me.
  – Submitted by Julie C (8 months ago)
• 1. Sebastian: Do you ever scared you could have Parkinson's disease?
  2. Wally: Not specifically Parkinson's disease but, I am not going to lie I have had my doubts of hypochondriac.
  3. Sebastian: What's that?
  4. Wally: That's thinking you have diseases that you don't really have.
  5. Sebastian: OMG I have that.
  – Submitted by Melynda B (10 months ago)
• 1. Wally: Because getting old sucks, most people don't accomplish what they hope to and they realize there most likely not going to. They end up living this quiet life of denial and you know brushing birthdays under the rug becomes a big part of that.
  – Submitted by Melynda B (10 months ago)
• 1. Sebastian: I'm having a birthday party!
  2. Wally: Oh yah you enjoy that, There is going to comes a time in your life when you donâ??t want people to know itâ??s your birthday.
  3. Sebastian: Why wouldnâ??t anyone want people to know about their birthday?
  – Submitted by Melynda B (10 months ago)