Identity Thief AKA Everyday I'm Hustlin'

Identity Thief
Director: Seth Gordon
Starring: Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, and John Cho
New Release Review

I'm just going to flat out say it: I really enjoyed this film! I found it to be the perfect February comedy. February and March are tough months for films in general, with the Oscars and upcoming summer blockbusters taking most of the hype for movie news. A successful movie during these months doesn't need to be the best in it's genre; it just needs to be decent. Carry out your plot well, have a few memorable moments, and be somewhat plausible and you have a recipe for a perfect film during the "winter-blahs" months.

Identity Thief stars Jason Bateman as Sandy Patterson, who unknowingly (and quite idiotically) gives out his personal information (name, date of birth, and social security) over the phone to a woman who claims to work for one of his credit card companies. The woman, Diana (McCarthy), prints out credit cards and begins a spending spree maxing out several cards in Sandy's name.

Sandy finds out that his boss (Jon Favreau) has decided to make cuts on bonuses for his firm, but is still claiming a bonus for himself. Along with several other irate colleagues, Sandy and his co-worker Daniel (Cho), make plans to start their own firm. Sandy learns of his credit problems when his card is declined at a gas station. He is later arrested for missing a court date in Florida for assault and at the police station, he finds out that Diana (after seeing her mug shot) has stolen his identity. The police confirm that they are unable to do anything unless the identity thief is in their state, Sandy takes it upon himself to locate her and bring her back to the city to clear his name.

I am not sure why critics are judging this film so harshly. It was enjoyable. It had laughs, it had heart. I had a lot of fun watching it. Sure, the plotline isn't the most original, but Bateman and McCarthy make it so worthwhile. Their hard work in this film does not go unnoticed. The duo carries the film from start to finish with their remarkable chemistry and comedic teamwork. They balance each other with their polar opposite approaches to comedy: McCarthy is in-your-face while Bateman is relaxed and deadpan.
Yes, a lot of the laughs were showcased in the trailers, but there's definitely more laughs in this film than there were in 2012's Ted (check out our review of that film here). The music included in the film helps to make the experience that much more enjoyable, providing some good comedic moments like the scene with McCarthy and Bateman in the car going through the various radio stations where McCarthy's character sings along with every song that comes on, annoying Bateman's character.

I'm not sure why people are so quick to condemn this film. Remember movie fans: you can't judge all movies the same! You have to take them for what they are. Not every movie is going to be a blockbuster or Academy favourite. Films, for the most part, are meant to be an escape from reality; a chance to get lost in a fictional story for an hour or two. Think about your favourite movie and I guarantee the majority of you are thinking of a film that wasn't necessarily loved by all, but you still enjoy it.

Final Verdict: See it. It's worth it to see Bateman and McCarthy work so well together. It's also great to see McCarthy in one of her first starring roles in a film. Go in with an open mind and be ready to laugh at some silly scenes and you'll enjoy this film. And please don't compare it to Planes, Trains, and Autombiles (check out our review of that film here). Just because it has a road trip with unlikely partners element, doesn't mean it's a rip off of the John Hughes film. Even if it was, you can't compare anything to that 80s gem because nothing else will measure up (i.e. 2010's Due Date).

Rotten Tomatoes