“The Change-Up” makes the mistake of thinking audiences will howl over any old R-rated gag.
Recent hits like “Horrible Bosses” and “The Hangover” had a method to their naughty madness. They gave us characters to care about amidst the pratfalls and fecal surprises.
The latest body-swapping comedy runs out of inspiration in the opening scene when star Jason Bateman endures a mouthful of baby poop. Yes, they go there, and there’s little funny about it.
Longtime pals Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) and Dave (Bateman) couldn’t lead more different lives. Mitch’s apartment is a way station for sexy single women, and he spends more quality time with his bong than his estranged father (Alan Arkin).
Dave has his hands full changing his twins’ diapers and laying the groundwork for a long-coveted promotion at his legal firm. The two grab some beers one night and share their admiration for the other’s lifestyle. When they relieve themselves in an outdoor fountain they absent-mindedly wish they could be the other person.
Before you can say “magic fountains exist only in the movies” the buddies wake up the next day with switched bodies. Now, Mitch must change diapers, heal the rift in Dave’s relationship to his wife (Leslie Mann) and seal a very big business deal.
Dave, in turn, must sexually satisfy one of Mitch’s steady conquests and act in a Skinemax feature.
The latter hints at the desperation at the heart of “The Change-Up.” The premise offers so many tantalizing options for comedy, but instead the movie settles for cheap boob and diaper jokes. And who thought it was funny to have Mitch pour milk on the heads of Dave’s infants, or let one suck an electric outlet until sparks fly?
Grab a father off the street and he’ll tell you a funnier real-life story than anything forced upon us here.
“The Change-Up” has a sneaky grin on its face the whole running time, as if it’s delighted at how bawdy it can be. That strands the great Batemen, left to mug away as the madcap Mitch in sheep’s clothing.
Reynolds’ character isn’t just another in a long line of arrested development cases. He’s borderline pychotic who can’t utter a sentence without an f-bomb or misogynistic rant.
The film violently switches gears for a few dramatic subplots, a shift which sends the limp laugh quotient plummeting.
We also endure several faux endings, none of which satisfies.
“The Change-Up” squanders a fine cast, a terrific premise and the sturdy body switch gimmick, but it leaves no fecal-stained stone unturned.
(Photo: Jason Bateman struggles with his twins in “The Change-Up”, the new comedy from the director of “Wedding Crashers” and the writers of “The Hangover.” Photo Credit: Richard Cartwright. Copyright: © 2011 Universal Studios.)
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
As bad as you say if not worse. Only for people who enjoy watching good actors desperately trying to overcome bad writing.