The summer of 2011 was pitched before it even began as a summer for the nerds. Transformers 3, Green Lantern, and Harry Potter were three of the big dogs with other comic book adaptations like Cowboys and Aliens and Captain America also fighting to bring in big box office numbers. While Green Lantern has been the only real let down of the bunch both critically and financially, another sub-genre has snuck in and become some of the most profitable films of the summer. Bridesmaids, Bad Teacher, and Horrible Bosses have proven that there is still an audience for a great rated-R comedy, and I am happy to report that The Change-Up continues the summer's dirty comedy winning streak.
In The Change-Up, Dave Lockwood (Jason Bateman) is a man who seems to have it all. He has a beautiful wife Jamie (Leslie Mann), three healthy happy kids, and a promising law career. If there is anything to complain about in his life, it is that Dave works too hard. Mitch Planko (Ryan Reynolds) is Dave's best friend since third grade, and he couldn't be more different from Dave. Mitch is a perpetual slacker who is currently trying to be an actor. He spends most of his days smoking weed and laying around his disgusting apartment. Right before the biggest day of his career, Dave goes out for drinks with Mitch. They both get plastered and end up peeing in a fountain, whining about how they envy the other's life. Through some magic that is never explained, they wake up the next morning having switched bodies. Hijinks ensue!
The body-switching comedy is practically its own sub-genre of comedy complete with its own set of tropes and cliches. The Change-Up acknowledges many of the tropes and gaps in logic in body-switching comedies. Whenever I see movies like Freaky Friday or The Change-Up, I wonder why the characters don't just call in sick for work or come up with some excuse to buy themselves some more time. Dave's presentation and Mitch's acting gig give both characters a compelling reason why they can't call out sick that day.
As they are forced to continue pretending to be each other, Dave and Mitch adjust to their new lives and routines. I was concerned about this point in the movie because I was sure they would focus on Dave living the swinging bachelor lifestyle and sleeping with a bunch of women. Instead, Dave takes more time to invest in himself and his happiness beyond his career. He learns how to roller blade. He reads a book. He even gets high and goes to the aquarium, which I have to admit sounds like a trippy afternoon.
Mitch on the other hand gets to find out what his father (a great cameo by Alan Arkin) really thinks about him. He sees that his father actually believes in him but doesn't think that he has even come close to reaching his full potential. Mitch doesn't give up when he has to stay late to prepare for the negotiations on Dave's deal or when he has to get up at 3 in the morning to feed Dave's twin daughter and son. Instead, he proves that he can rise to the occasion. By switching bodies, Dave and Mitch learn to reinvest in themselves. After years of working non-stop, Dave finally cares about his own happiness enough to let loose and have fun, and after years of sliding by, Mitch cares enough to make something more out of his life.
Screenwriters Jon Lucas and Scott Moore, who are probably best known for writing The Hangover have put together a solid script, and Bateman and Reynolds do a fantastic job selling it. For me, what sold me on The Change-Up was Leslie Mann. She has a knack for injecting a ton of heart into characters that otherwise might be run of the mill (George of the Jungle) or even unlikable (Knocked Up, I Love You Phillip Morris). As Jamie Lockwood, she is a loving mother and a smoking wife who also feels insecure and out of love with Dave. When Mitch as Dave rejects her and says he is no longer attracted to her, I was heartbroken at how upset she was. If married life was perfect for Jamie and Dave, Mitch's rejection wouldn't have hurt so much. She sells the fact that while Mitch might be a self-centered pothead, Dave's life isn't as perfect as it seems. All she wants is an evening where she can just talk to Dave without his attention being divided between her, work, and the kids, and the real Dave isn't even giving her that.
This summer, I've been surprised that some of the movies I have enjoyed the most have been rated-R comedies. While The Change-Up isn't my favorite of the bunch (that honor goes to Bridesmaids), it is a solid comedy. There is enough heart to make it memorable, but the character development and exposition never distract the movie from its main purpose which is to be funny. It is perfect for a girl's night out, a guy's night out, or a date night without pandering to every crowd. Best of all, it is a comedy that gets the lamest jokes out in the trailer and saves the best material for the movie itself. In a summer that kicked off with the absolutely mediocre Your Highness, the summer of 2011 has surprised moviegoers by being the summer of the rated-R comedy, and The Change-Up keeps the summer's comedy winning streak going strong.
"The Change-Up" opens August 5, 2011 and is rated R. Comedy. Directed by David Dobkin. Written by Jon Lucas, Scott Moore. Starring Alan Arkin, Jason Bateman, Leslie Mann, Olivia Wilde, Ryan Reynolds.
