'The Change-Up' review

The Change-Up is the classic tale of two men who don’t truly appreciate what they have until it’s ripped away from them by a magical fountain that causes them to switch lives. Okay, maybe the last bit wasn’t so “classical,” but the basis of this story is nothing we haven’t seen before.
First, we meet Dave (Jason Bateman), a married man with three kids, a beautiful wife (Olivia Wilde), a big house, and he is about to become a partner at his law firm. He has worked his entire life to get to where he is and now that he is finally about to “have it all,” he still feels as if it’s not enough.

Then comes Dave’s childhood best friend, Mitch (Ryan Reynolds). Mitch is an aspiring actor who has never done much of anything with his life. According to his father, he has quit everything he has ever started. In other words, Mitch is seen as a failure. However, the single man seems to be perfectly content with his daily routine of playing with swords and hooking up with women.

One day, the two friends have a little too much to drink. They pour their hearts and souls out to one another and realize that they aren’t living the lives they had always dreamed of living. Dave is jealous of Mitch and Mitch is jealous of Dave. Before calling it a night, the dynamic duo decide to relieve themselves in a fountain. During this moment, they both wish out loud that they had each other’s life and “BAM,” lightening strikes.

The next morning, Mitch wakes up to a baby’s cry but wait, Mitch doesn’t have any children. He turns over to find Dave’s wife breastfeeding in their bed! All it takes is one quick glance in the mirror to realize that the innocent little wish he and Dave made the night before at the fountain has come true; they have switched bodies!

And so the story continues from there. When it seems that Mitch is about to lose Dave’s job, he sweeps in and saves the day. Dave finally has a chance to relax and take that “good dump” that he’s longed for. In the end they both realize how wonderful their lives truly are and deeply desire to just be themselves again.

After tracking down the magical fountain that disappeared the day after the wish was granted, the two relieve themselves once again (this time in public as the fountain was relocated to a popular mall), and when Dave wakes up he’s back in his own house with his wonderful family. They both come out of the mess a little wiser and a lot happier.

Overall, the movie was cheesy and predictable but if you’re looking for that “feel good” and “life is great” story line with a little dirty humor, The Change-Up will be perfect for you!

Watch the trailer for The Change-Up below: