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Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Patrick Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, Juliette Lewis ... see more see more... , Thomas Robinson , Todd Louiso , Scott Elrod , Kelli Barrett , Caroline Dhavernas , Victor Pagan , Rebecca Naomi Jones , Jeremy J. Mohler , Will Swenson , Edward James Hyland , Brian Podnos , Carmen M. Herlihy , Lily Pilblad , Jason Jones , Lily Pilbald

A woman approaching middle age yet still childless decides to get pregnant by artificial insemination, only to discover that the donor she chose may not be the father of her child in this comedy starr... read more read more...ing Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. Wally Mars (Bateman) is a dyed-in-the-wool pessimist. Hopelessly neurotic and unrepentantly narcissistic, he gets no joy out of life except for the time he spends with his best friend Kassie (Jennifer Aniston). However, despite the fact that Wally pines to be more than just friends with Kassie, she isn't convinced they'd make a good couple. When Kassie announces to Wally that she's found the perfect sperm donor, he's crestfallen; as far as he's concerned, the ideal candidate is standing right in front of her. Later, Kassie selects handsome stranger Roland (Patrick Wilson) to provide the seed. Things get complicated when Kassie's best friend Debbie (Juliette Lewis) throws an "insemination party" to commemorate the big event, and Wally intercepts Roland's special delivery, drunkenly replacing it with his own before blacking out. Pregnant and content, Kassie leaves the city for Minnesota, where she gives birth to a healthy baby boy. Flash-forward seven years, and Kassie returns to New York with her son, Sebastian (Thomas Robinson), who shares an uncanny number of physical and psychological traits with embittered bachelor Wally. Before long Wally and Sebastian have become good friends, and Wally becomes convinced that the boy is his biological son. His ideal family is finally within reach, and if he can just figure out a means of breaking the news to Kassie gently, perhaps she'll find it in her heart to forgive him, and recognize that he'll make the perfect father for Sebastian. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

44% liked it

72,978 ratings

Critics

51% liked it

145 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Josh Gordon, Will Speck

Release Date: August 20, 2010

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DVD Release Date: March 15, 2011

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Flixster Reviews (3,981)

  • 3niR
    January 3, 2012
    3niR
    This was very predictable but I enjoyed it.
  • thmtsang
    October 9, 2011
    thmtsang
    I like Jason Bateman, but he's not well matched with Jennifer. Jennifer is getting older and she wants a baby. (Life immitating art). She has found a donor, handsome fellow and her friend Juliette (weird as they were both involved with Brad Pitt) throws her a conception party (on... read morely in America!) and a jealous bestmate Jason gets drunk and switches the sperm (as you do!). Years later he discovers that he has a son, but Jennifer has already moved on.
  • romy861
    September 25, 2011
    romy861
    Okay chick flick, nice performances lift a so-so story line. Some funny bits and nice moments. Wouldn't say it is a favourite or that I am dying to watch it again, but it was a pleasant enough use of an hour and a half.
  • Tomassgringo
    June 27, 2011
    Tomassgringo
    I just love Jason Bateman... but this movie he could have just phoned in. Cute, predictable and simply follows the rom/com format.
  • murphmann93
    June 24, 2011
    murphmann93
    A cute film but not really that interesting to watch and it's really predictable.
  • neverteaseaweasel
    May 30, 2011
    neverteaseaweasel
    I probably shouldn't admit to this, but I really enjoyed this movie. Is it a masterpiece, no; but it's surprsingly entertaining and resonant. I fell in love with these characters. I really like the concept of the film, it's off the wall and it's incredibly fun and awkward to expl... read moreain to people what it's about. I really have nothing else to say, it's touching and sweet in that 'No, i absolutely am not crying at this' kind of way. It's light, fun, and entertaining, not deep, not profound, but incredibly enjoyable.
  • LWOODS04
    April 19, 2011
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Thomas Robinson, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Wilson, Juliette Lewis, Scott Elrod, Todd Louiso, Caroline Dhavernas, Kelli Barrett

    Director: Josh Gordon, Will Speck

    Summary: Still single and increasingly attuned to the cacophony of her biolo... read moregical clock, 40-something Kassie (Jennifer Aniston) decides that if she can't find a mate she'll still pursue motherhood with the help of a sperm sample that's not quite as anonymous as she thinks. As the baby grows up, Kassie's best friend, Wally (Jason Bateman), agonizes over whether to reveal that he secretly replaced the donor sample with his own DNA.

    My Thoughts: "This is not your typical rom-com, this is actually more of a drama. I think if people were going into the film as it being a drama it would have been received better and there wouldn't be so much disappointment of how it's not really funny. But don't get me wrong, there are funny moments in the film. Jennifer Aniston puts in a good performance. I was surprised she signed up for the film considering the story-line is related to pretty much every headline in every magazine that is written about her real life. I guess maybe she wanted to poke fun at herself. I really enjoyed Jason Bateman in this film. I find him awkward and funny. The relationship between Wally and Sebastian is really cute, sweet, and touching. Great performances from Jeff Goldblum, Juliette Lewis, and Patrick Wilson in their supporting roles. Definitely a much better movie then I had anticipated."
  • kiriyamakazou
    April 16, 2011
    kiriyamakazou
    A truly cold and horrible film. This is billed as a romantic comedy, and certainly plays up to the cutesy charm. Then why is it that this film has so many sinister things going on? I would have loved for this to have been a serious drama. Bateman plays the best friend that is cle... read morearly in love with Aniston. Not THAT clearly, but we assume (correctly) so because this film isn't going to surprise us. She decides to have a baby with sperm donor Patrick WIlson (once again wasted). Bateman, drunkenly, spills the sperm and replaces it with his own. This isn't really the kind of plot I look for in my comedies, unless they are gross out or dark. This film revolves around this being some kind of charming act. 7 years later he realizes what he has done, but just telling Aniston would be too clever for this film. Instead he bottles it up and lets it all out at the most inappropriate time. There is nothing to like about this character. He sneakily sends guys away from Aniston, gets drunk to suppress his feelings, unknowingly fathers her child, lies, and ruins lives. He is a foul waste of space, but this film shows him to be the charming hero. Wilson, meanwhile, is recovering from a divorce and is looking forward to getting involved in his (supposed) child's life. He is cruelly sidelined. He is much more likable than the leads. Though I respect the decision to not make him out to be a typical villain, they could have least explored him. Here we have a guy trying to overcome a difficult time, and takes responsibility even though he needn't. Who the hell wrote this? Had Bateman raped Aniston, or swapped her baby, we'd be in horror territory. This really has me questioning humanity, but I suppose the fact it inspires forgiveness is something.
  • itsjustme2004
    March 23, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    I just loved this. The entire cast was perfect. This is not a roll on the floor funny movie, but a movie chock full of witty banter...my favorite kind. Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston give off such honest, real portrayals of their characters that it's hard not to root for them... read more (as well as fall in with the story hook, line, and sinker). Kudos!!
  • FrizzDrop
    March 21, 2011
    FrizzDrop
    I can understand why people would be turned off by yet another Jennifer Aniston fueled project, comedy driven, with a weak hook, but if you look beyond these lackluster details and actually give it a chance it may surprise you. Yes, Anniston and Patrick Wilson aren't ideal for su... read morech a artistic and sanguine plot, but since most of this film is centered on Bateman, and his performance is not only solid but caring, kind, neurotic, and genuine, it works. Plus, Thomas Robinson, in his first starring role, plays the precocious genius and parallel to Bateman so well you will believe they are father and son on the screen. Bateman and Anniston not only have ideal chemistry, but have a friendship in the film that is present, and backed up by performances that actually work. Yes, the comedy is dry and not in your face like other projects, but it is certainly better than recent films by supposed comedy greats of the past year.

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Critic Reviews

Lisa Kennedy
August 20, 2010
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

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

Tom Long
August 20, 2010
Tom Long, Detroit News

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. Full Review

Peter Rainer
August 20, 2010
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

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

Joshua Katzman
August 20, 2010
Joshua Katzman, Chicago Reader

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

Richard Roeper
August 20, 2010
Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com

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

Ann Hornaday
August 20, 2010
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

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

Lou Lumenick
August 20, 2010
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Tries to be more than a sitcom but keeps falling back on cheap laughs. Full Review

Joe Neumaier
August 20, 2010
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

It's Judd Apatow lite, Farrelly brothers special blend. Just call it When Harry Met Sally and Her Ovum. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
August 20, 2010
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

The truly dusty cliché it drags out again is the cute couple who don't, you know, think-of-each-other-like-that. Until, of course, they do. Full Review

Rick Groen
August 20, 2010
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Another in a recent line of romcoms eager to get us laughing all the way to the sperm bank, and then to the infant dividends beyond. Full Review

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    • 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.
    • Sebastian: Do you ever scared you could have Parkinson's disease?
    • Wally: Not specifically Parkinson's disease but, I am not going to lie I have had my doubts of hypochondriac.
    • Sebastian: What's that?
    • Wally: That's thinking you have diseases that you don't really have.
    • Sebastian: OMG I have that.
    • 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.
    • Sebastian: I'm having a birthday party!
    • 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.
    • Sebastian: Why wouldnâ??t anyone want people to know about their birthday?
  • The most unexpected comedy ever conceived.
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