Based on the short story The Baster, The Switch was directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, the filmmaking team behind Will Ferrell's Blades of Glory. In support of The Switch's release, Aniston and Bateman teamed up to talk all about the film, Kassie's decisions, and whether men and women can be just friends at a press conference in LA.
Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman The Switch Press Conference
Do you feel Kassie is the new modern woman who chooses her own fate when she wants it, how she wants it, and do you encourage women to step up to get what they want?Jennifer Aniston: "Well, I think that’s what this movie is – the subject is definitely that. It supports that; it supports what’s currently happening in our world today, that we as women have the choices and options of when and/or how to have children, as we’ve evolved as a society."
Have you learned something from Kassie?
Jennifer Aniston: "I’ve learned something from Kassie. I’ve learned something from every character I’ve played. Especially in this case, the women in my life who have gone through the struggles and heartbreak and frustration of fertility and adoption and all of that, I think that’s why it jumped out at me so immediately, the connection I had to it. I thought it was something very timely and progressive, that hadn’t been discussed, and to have a love story woven through it was just beautiful – and it’s hysterical. At least, I think."
Jason Bateman: "I think we should charge more for the movie than $15. It sounds like a full package. I’ve gotta see this."
Do modern women scare you?
Jason Bateman: "That’s why I stick to men! I’ve had it with them. The modern woman is exciting to me because I’m married to one."
Jennifer Aniston: "I was just going to say you’re married to one."
Jason Bateman: "I’m sure the old-fashioned woman would have been great too, but I’m living in the modern age. I like women. Just to be clear. This is something that I guess you would have to label as progressive, but it does seem to be a little overdue, because women have been making some of the better decisions for our planet for quite some time, and of course they can have a child without a clumsy man around. In this movie, she decides to have the kid first, and the guy second. Why not? There’s a lot of people doing that."
Jason, one of the emotional cornerstones of this movie is your character's relationship with the boy who plays Jennifer's son, Sebastian. How did you go about working with Thomas Robinson, developing that relationship, and did your own experience as a child actor and a father come into play in that relationship?
Jason Bateman: "It wasn’t tough to get chemistry with him because he’s such a good guy and talented and kind. He’s got great parents. The experience that I had growing up, being a young actor, was helpful, because I remember that point of view, literally, from in front of a big, black camera, and a hundred people standing behind it, waiting to be released to lunch until you get your lines right. It’s nerve wracking. He was six. [Laughing] He’s 14 now, but getting the edit right on this movie was important. I don’t know how somebody who is, what, three years into the English language was able to take what was a new language to him and be able to manipulate it, find some nuance in the way that he delivers a sentence that he barely understands."
Wally is very much a part of other parts you’ve had, these spiritually strangulated guys who eventually come around to the right thing. Why is it that you specifically are drawn to those roles?
Jason Bateman: "Well, I got this because a few other more talented, bigger, better names were busy, A). B), I don’t know. I don’t know how much of that was in the script and how much of that is just me being interested in that kind of character and me trying to cram that character into what was written. I think that what you’re describing is pretty much a part of all of us. I just find that an interesting character to watch on film currently, so I like finding that part of a particular character."
Jennifer, in what ways do you relate to this character? Is it truly possible to stay friends with an ex?
Jennifer Aniston: "Uh, yes, it is. And in what way do I relate to her is, I relate to all women that I know, like I said before, that have gone through this choice, decision in life."
Jennifer, what in a script does appeal to you? What do you look for?
Jennifer Aniston: "Well, it sort of comes from just having usually a gut reaction to the story, and also what Will [Speck, the director said] about having the story rooted in reality and jumping off from there is always more interesting to me, sort of in the vein of movies like The Break-Up or Marley and Me, where they’re true stories to life, and relatable stories. Then the comedy comes out of that. And if I'm moved...I usually need to have a moment where the story is poignant in some way."
Do you think it’s possible for a man and a woman to be best friends without the physical part?
Jennifer Aniston: "Yes. I mean, I have."
Jason Bateman: "No."
Jennifer Aniston: "There you go… [Laughing] Well, look, I mean, that’s funny because – I think it’s hard. I think women have an easier time with it than men do. Don’t you agree?"
Jason Bateman: "Yeah, because – I don’t want to make a horrible generalization, but a lot of the guys that I’ve met will sleep with pretty much any girl they meet. And if you actually are really good friends with that girl too, well that’s a home run. How can you resist that? In other words, the first part you really can’t shut off. I don't know, I feel like a guy and a girl can remain best friends and not have something happen, as long as one of them is in a relationship. As soon as both are single, you can just start the clock. Then you just soak it in booze, and things happen."
Your character Wally and his son have all these things in common, whether it be yum-yum noises or hypochondria. What do you see in your daughter that’s like you?
Jennifer Aniston: "Besides your face?"
Jason Bateman: "Yeah, she’ll grow out of that. She does enjoy a good carbohydrate. The baby trainer - she’s so expensive, but she’s gonna drop the weight. We get a twofer from this guy. I got kicked out of a couple of schools because I liked the sound of my voice, as you can tell, and she’s got some of that. But maybe that’s just being three and a half. I don’t know. She seems to really like to make people laugh, and she likes playing with different voices, different faces; again, I don’t know how much of that is three and a half, but if she’s still doing that at 35, we’ll call a doctor."
Jennifer Aniston: "You’re okay."
Jason Bateman: "Yeah, I’m all right, but I’m a guy."
In the film seven years pass and you guys don’t change.
Jason Bateman: "I had gray temples."
Jennifer Aniston: "I had longer hair. We should have done age face."
But there’s reality to the film and that feels like Hollywood.
Jennifer Aniston: "Can I just say, I have to say something. This man, I’ve known him for 15 years. He doesn’t look any different."
Jason Bateman: "Ultimately, it’s sort of distracting, I think, to the audience. At least for me, if I’m sitting in the theater, I’m like, 'You didn’t need to do that to let me - - just put the chyron on, '7 Years Later', and let me enjoy the story. Don’t remind me with some cheap makeup appliance in every scene. I want to be in the story.'"
