Movie Review: "Identity Thief"

"Identity Thief" tries to blend slapstick comedy with heartfelt drama, but it's tough to do both well in one movie. On one hand, it has cartoonish humor, like a character getting hit by a car and walking away unscathed. On the other, it features emotional scenes, like a character tearfully revealing childhood trauma. Unfortunately, neither works because they clash too much.

The Identity Crisis

"Identity Thief" struggles to find its identity. It wants to be a mix of "Midnight Run" and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," but it lacks the depth and believability of those classics. The movie stars Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy, two talented comedians who usually shine in their roles. However, this film wastes their talents on predictable road-trip clichés, car chases, silly shootouts, and sappy moments instead of giving us something fresh and original.

The Story

Jason Bateman plays Sandy Patterson, a 40-something account executive who is undervalued at work but loved by his wife (Amanda Peet) and two daughters. Sandy becomes the target of an identity thief named Diana (Melissa McCarthy), who is incredibly obvious about her crimes. Diana wears loud outfits, stocks her house like a department store, keeps fake IDs as trophies, and goes on wild spending sprees. It's a wonder she hasn't been caught a thousand times already.

Thanks to a ridiculous setup involving a terrible boss (Jon Favreau), a clueless cop (Morris Chestnut), and a useless friend (John Cho), Sandy must travel to Florida to capture Diana and bring her back to Colorado. Instead of simply calling the police, the movie forces them into a series of wacky adventures involving a bounty hunter and a couple of assassins.

The Execution

While Bateman and McCarthy have their moments of witty banter, most of the time they're either fighting each other or running from danger. McCarthy does deliver one powerful dramatic scene, but it's overshadowed by the movie's constant telegraphing of emotional moments. "Identity Thief" ends up feeling like a cheap imitation of better comedies, trying too hard to balance cringe-worthy humor and emotional payoffs.

Conclusion

"Identity Thief" had potential with its talented cast, but it falls flat by trying to do too much. Instead of focusing on solid comedy or genuine drama, it gets lost in the middle. Here's hoping Bateman and McCarthy find a better film to showcase their talents in the future.