The Change Up is a darn funny flick, heavy on the ‘darn’.Dave (Jason Bateman) is a highly strung adult bearing the full weight of his famlial and professional life. His friend Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) is a testosterone-fuelled actor whose days are consumed by eating “hummus and masturbating.”
One stormy night the two childhood friends have a little too much to drink and find themselves relieving their bladders in a magical fountain that sees the city black out. By the time electricity returns, the two friends have switched bodies and now face each-others everyday challenges, which turns out to be a hilarious exercise of their own shortcomings.
The Change Up starts off strong, laying the emotional framework it needs without pulling any of its punches. It is disturbingly hilarious, turning the most unsavoury experiences into whimsical episodes. Like most comedies the humour becomes sparser as the film’s soft-centre story kicks it up a notch. Fortunately you’re grateful for the laughs the characters have so generously shared that you’re happy to see it through.
The raucous infant traditionally played by Reynolds has been exhausted in countless of his films, but he manages to find his stride with The Change Up, honing his comedic abilities to exhibit impeccable timing and gleaning laughter where it traditionally shouldn’t lie. Reynolds also harbours a subtle sincerity that sees his charm wash over the audience effortlessly; exuding the cheeky boy we all hate to love.
His co-star Jason Bateman is also well versed in vulgar comedy with this being his second this year. Although a solid performance, his moment in the spotlight is overshadowed by Leslie Mann who plays his on screen wife, Jamie. Mann’s performance spans a vast range, from absolute femininity to literally toilet humour.
The Change Up is another instalment of foul mouth comedy that is lightly endowed with emotion. Don’t expect it to be this year’s best flick, but watching it in a group will see the quiet night turn into a barrel of stomach-aching laughs.
