Your Place or Mine - A Netflix Movie Review

Let’s switch lives for a week. I’ll make my place comfortable for you.

Your Place or Mine switched its way onto Netflix in 2023. Lifelong friends Debbie and Peter switch houses for a week when Debbie has the opportunity to pursue her career in New York City. Looking after Debbie’s son in Los Angeles Peter helps Jake make new friends.

Your Place or Mine was a hollow story. It never succeeded in its attempts to find a story. This film had so much potential but it fell flat. Channeling a reminiscent rom-com trope that we’ve seen across several films, the main relationship is not established enough.

Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher had more chemistry when they weren’t together in a scene than on-screen. To make Debbie and Peter’s friendship believable, a full montage of their history and not just one scene should have been shown in the beginning. Debbie and Peter are supposed to be lifelong best friends, right? The chemistry from the actors is not there.

Kutcher was the best part of the film. He knew the assignment and delivered the best performance. Compared to other media in which I have seen Kutcher, he plays a more grounded character. Peter was the only character who was developed. Peter is kind and willing to help anyone.

The interactions between Peter and Jack (Wesley Kimmel) were endearing. Their relationship is the core of Your Place or Mine. I loved watching their relationship develop as Peter helped Jack become more confident in himself.

I have no idea what the story was attempting to do with Debbie! Nothing, in the end. Attending classes that help her with her career goals, she attempts to see if she can publish Peter’s manuscript - only to sleep with a guy. That’s so out of her character! Debbie is supposed to be this responsible helicopter parent, but Witherspoon wasn’t directed well.

Secondary characters are secondary characters and nothing more. Their relationships with the main characters weren’t planned out well. As much as I love Steve Zahn, what was the point of his character? It would have been a better idea if Minka (Zoe Chao) was Debbie’s friend. Theo (Jesse Williams) had no character whatsoever.

Like Kutcher, Tig Notaro (Alicia) knew what she was doing. Equivalent to Peter’s friendship with Jack, Peter and Alicia had the most believable chemistry.

Your Place or Mine was Alina Brosh McKenna’s directorial debut. It’s evident. She does a good job in her first attempts, but the film is so messy and lacks depth. Her biggest flaw is that she didn’t construct Kutcher and Witherspoon’s relationship or their characters.

Why couldn’t Jack be Debbie and Peter’s kid? That would have made a lot more sense! Debbie and Peter hooked up at the start of the film, right? And they’re just friends. So, what’s the point of this scene?

The relationship between the main characters is barely recognized. I don’t see the sudden realization that they were ever meant to be together. The story is wrapped up too abruptly. The argument in the airport is the most memorable scene in the film between the pair.

One element that I did like about the film was the visual effects. When talking to each other over the phone, the camera intercepted Debbie and Peter in a neat one-shot. It was a creative touch. I wish the rest of the film could have matched this comical tone.

I only recommend Your Place or Mine for Kutcher’s endearing performance. The film could have been better but it is still entertaining. Find it on Netflix.