Identity Thief
Move Over, Jason Bateman – Just Get Out Of Her Way!
Pairing anyone with fireball comedian Melissa McCarthy is a challenge in scriptwriting and acting. I bet the tension that actor Jason Bateman brought to this story was partly real – as the movie quickly turns into the Melissa McCarthy show and it’s best to just get out of the way as much as possible and just support her with the right amount of opposite force. The gags roll quickly with physical scuffling and the ridiculous criminal activity of this identity-thieving kleptomaniac.
The story and performances are certainly adequate at producing loud laughter, but probably won’t hold up over time as a classic, though certain scenes are worth watching multiple times – like McCarthy’s fast-talking and swindling ways while shopping or escaping the law. When the two characters team up to stick it to Sandy Patterson’s boss, the payoff is rewarding. There’s even some heartwarming interaction between thief and the Patterson family. [Universal] Doug Van Pelt
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