The threat of identity theft is a relatable concern. Being chased by hillbilly bounty hunters and violent criminal organizations is considerably less likely.

That’s the kind of antics Jason Bateman must face in “Identity Thief,” a broad and overfamiliar comedy that follows the outline of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”

Bateman does what he does best here – playing the suffering straight man against the manic comedic force of Melissa McCarthy. Bateman plays financial analyst Sandy Patterson, and within the film’s opening seconds, he’s relinquished his social security number over the phone to McCarthy’s con artist Diana. She goes on a lavish spending spree that eventually leaves Sandy with thousands of dollars in credit card debt and even a warrant out for his arrest. (more…)