That Was 90 Minutes of My Life Stolen by an "Identity Thief"

It's a wonderful life...

The Story:

Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman) is a wiz at his job, which is handling lots of valuable information and money.  So go figure that he gives up all of his personal information over the phone to a seemingly reputable firm when Diana (Melissa McCarthy) asks so sweetly on the other end.  Just like that, she creates some credit cards, driver's license and away she goes on a shopping spree in Florida while Sandy slaves away in Denver.  It's only when he tries to start a new job after getting arrested that he learns his identity has been compromised, and the only way he can get his name cleared is if he goes to Florida and brings the lady to justice himself.

Piece of cake, right?


Well, that was something.

This movie wasn't nearly as funny as it could have been, as many of the jokes were labors to stretch and give the movie an R rating to be edgy and funny.

Think of it like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, but Neal would be trying to bring Del home from the beginning, and Del trying to get away.

When the movie didn't try and be crass, it was actually pretty amusing.

It seems that lately the comedies can't decide if they want to just "Shock and Awe" the audience and grab that R rating and go for broke, or they feel the need to sap it up and grab the safer PG-13 rating and try and pull in the families.  Why they seem to sway to one extreme or the other is beyond me, I've seen plenty of movies that can walk the thin line without going too far in any one direction.

This movie seemed at times like it couldn't decide which one to go for.  The only problem I have with embracing the R rating, is make the jokes funny.  If the jokes aren't that great, it doesn't matter what rating you slap on a movie.

All that said, I will give bonus credit to the ending for not taking the obvious route.

Well, at least partially.

It was going down familiar territory, but they amazingly throw in one little twist that ends the movie on an actual high note of respectability versus the shrug of "I saw that one coming."

Finally as for the acting, well, it's nothing I haven't come to expect from Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy.  I've mentioned before that many actors seemingly play themselves, or at least the same character with little variation enough, that there is nothing new to the role.  Call it stereotyping or pigeon-holing these actors, but this seems to be the roles that Hollywood is writing for these two, and until I see something different, I'm going to keep believing the stereotype to be true.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: While I could watch it again in the future, I would likely choose something else instead.  :)  Pass on a purchase!