Identity Thief - 2013 - Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy.

Ridiculous but funny.

Identity Thief is a story centred around Sandy Patterson (Bateman) whose identity is stolen by con artist Diana (McCarthy). Diana (if that's her real name) uses up Sandy's credit cards, resulting in the police getting involved and Sandy almost losing his job when his wife, Trish (Amanda Peet) is expecting their third child. Due to a lack of police help, Sandy must travel down to Florida to get Diana and bring her back Denver to prove to the authorities and his boss (John Cho) that they have the wrong person.

The running joke throughout the film is surrounding the name Sandy, highlighting that it is a female name, with Bateman insisting that it is unisex. Funny at first, the joke becomes predictable and boring, lazy from screenwriter Craig Mazin in my opinion. I find that great jokes were hard to come by throughout the film.

McCarthy delivers a solid performance, doing as she has done before, using her physique for comedic effect. Diana is constantly getting beat around throughout the film, yet always manages to get up, seemingly without a scratch. During the film Diana gets run-over, been inside a flipping car and beat over the head with a guitar. Talk about tough. McCarthy's comedic talents are on full display during the scene when Diana first meets Trish Patterson once Sandy has managed to get Diana to Denver. Diana has a woman-to-woman chat with Trish ensuring her that whilst on their way back home her and Sandy didn't get up to any funny business, not forgetting to go into as much vivid detail as she can. Hilarious as always.

Bateman and McCarthy make the film what is it, without them, the films only bright moment would be the scene with Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), watch out for him. I wouldn't buy the DVD.

J.Henderson.

5.5/10.