THE SWITCH (12A).

Comedy/Romance. Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston, Patrick Wilson, Jeff Goldblum, Juliette Lewis, Todd Louiso, Thomas Robinson.

Originally entitled The Baster, which succinctly sums up the intentions of this quirky romantic comedy, Josh Gordon and Will Speck’s film is a modern day story of parenthood with two significant stumbling blocks: there is no sexual chemistry between the lead actors and Allan Loeb forgot to impregnate his script with big laughs.

Jason Bateman is a gifted comic actor but his beleaguered hero is deeply unsympathetic.

He’s a misery guts and once the character faces the repercussions of his actions, the subsequent emotional journey is too brief, culminating in an ultimatum for his love interest, played with customary ease by Jennifer Aniston.

On paper, the two stars are an unlikely couple. On the big screen, they are completely mismatched.

Wally Mars (Jason Bateman) loves his best friend Kassie Larson (Jennifer Aniston) but cannot declare his true feelings for fear of losing her.

He is shocked when she announces her plan to have a child with a donor.

The lucky father-to-be, Roland (Patrick Wilson), is a charming blonde Adonis and poor Wally drowns his sorrows, only to accidentally destroy the freshly produced pot of sperm.

He attempts to cover up his blunder by replenishing the sample and wakes the next morning with a crushing hangover and no recollection of his actions.

Seven years later, when Wally finally meets Kassie’s son, Sebastian (Thomas Robinson), he begins to notice all-too familiar behavioural ticks and suddenly the memories comes flooding back...

Wilson is wasted in a thankless supporting role and doesn’t pose a realistic threat to scuppering that happy ending we know is coming from the opening frame.