The Exchange: Chaotic charm overshadows shallow social commentary

The moment Stéphane (Avan Jogia) sweeps Diane (Melanie Leishman) off her feet to save her from a suicidal shop owner’s leap, Dan Mazer’s The Exchange (2021) makes its boldest statement: this isn’t just a teen comedy about fish-out-of-water culture clashes; it’s a film that wants to subvert expectations at every turn. Stéphane, the cologne-soaked, chain-smoking exchange student from France, is everything Tim (Ed Oxenbould), the socially awkward Canadian teen who ordered him, dreaded—and yet, he becomes the unlikely hero of Hobart, a small town still reeling from recession.

Mazer’s direction keeps the tone zippy and unpredictable, leaning into Stéphane’s chaotic energy with long takes that let Jogia’s performance breathe. The scene where Stéphane headbutts a soccer player mid-game is a standout, capturing both the absurdity of teenage rage and the raw physicality of the moment. Oxenbould, meanwhile, excels at portraying Tim’s quiet desperation, particularly in his awkward interactions with Brenda (Jayli Wolf). The chemistry between Jogia and Oxenbould grounds the film, making their eventual falling-out all the more painful to watch.

But The Exchange isn’t without its missteps. The film’s attempt to tackle racism—through the school bullies pasting Stéphane’s photo onto a newspaper about terrorists—feels heavy-handed and underdeveloped. It’s a serious topic that merits deeper exploration than the film provides, leaving it feeling like an afterthought rather than a meaningful subplot. Additionally, the pacing stumbles in the third act when Tim’s father (David Huband) becomes overly involved in Stéphane’s life, adding unnecessary emotional weight to a story that thrives on its lighter moments.

Where The Exchange truly shines is in its originality. Mazer and screenwriter Tim Long craft a narrative that refuses to be pigeonholed into conventional teen comedy tropes. The film’s genre fit is its strongest suit, blending comedy with unexpected moments of drama and social commentary. The sound design also deserves mention—Stéphane’s incessant chain-smoking and the constant hum of his cologne create an immersive atmosphere that reinforces his larger-than-life personality.

In the end, The Exchange is a film that takes risks and mostly pays off.