UNCONVENTIONAL baby-making is at the centre of the latest Jennifer Aniston romantic comedy The Switch.
When Kassie (Aniston) announces she wants to be artificially inseminated to her best friend Wally (Jason Bateman), her desire to meet the potential donor is a matter of concern. After securing the 'product' from the handsome and intelligent Roland (Patrick Wilson), everything is set.
That is until a drunken Wally accidentally loses Roland's sample and has to secretly replace it with his own.
Seven years later, when Kassie returns to New York City with her son Sebastian (Thomas Robinson) - who passes more than a fleeting resemblance to her best friend - Wally soon finds himself with the tough decision of keeping quiet or telling the truth.
But with Roland back on the scene, will he be too late?
Adult affair
The Switch marks a more adult affair for directing duo Josh Gordon and Will Speck, who cut their teeth on the Will Ferrell vehicle Blades Of Glory.
Swapping slapstick buffoonery for sweet-natured sentiment, the transition is surprisingly smooth.
The directors manage to keep pace and visual interest throughout, offering a relatively twee tale wrapped around a love-triangle/mistaken-identity narrative.
But this is a character led movie, and it is Bateman's relationship with the young Thomas Robinson where the film really shines.
Robinson's cute look and droopy disposition is sure to incite plenty of 'aw'ing from audience members, while the amusing banter between the two keeps the film running smoothly.
Leading man
Although the child may steal a majority of his scenes, this is certainly Bateman's film.
Bringing dollops of sharp sarcasm from the outset, his slow, emotional melting as he connects with his secret son shows a range previously unseen and affirms himself as leading man material.
The whole cast add a distinct sense of quality to the film while treading the thin line of cliched characters.
Juliette Lewis' wild and scatty friend remains amiable, Jeff Goldblum is a delight as the motor-mouthed boss, and Patrick Wilson as the intended donor works well.
The only issue comes from Aniston.
Although she is perfectly competent as the love interest, yet another bland, paint-by-numbers performance fails to make her stand apart from her TV work; highlighting a lack of experimentation hoped for in her transition to movies.
Predictable it may be, but The Switch keeps the mushiness in check to bring a warm and watchable heart-warmer to the screen.
6/10 - Comedy conceived.