Dope and ‘Change’

The body switch comedy is almost ubiquitous enough to be called a genre all on its own. Big, Freaky Friday, 13 Going on 30, the list goes on, but thanks to the writers of The Hangover, this year’s The Change-Up continued the trend. The film, new on DVD this week, blends a classic “body switch” with the current R-rated comedy fad when two friends—one an irresponsible and caddish bachelor and the other a harried attorney and married father of three—find themselves in each others bodies. Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman are on hand to make the switch and play both roles with aplomb. But can these lifelong friends survive when they really get under each other’s skin? Alan Arkin, Leslie Mann and Olivia Wilde co-star. Rated R.