Hollywood needed someone like Melissa McCarthy. She stole the show in Bridesmaids, one of the funniest comedies of the last decade, and after consistently proving herself on the small screen (Gilmore Girls, Mike and Molly), she’s finally getting leading woman status. 

Not apparently one to relax when she gets there though, McCarthy gives every second of Identity Thief all she’s got – and winds up the undeniable shining light in a very strong cast.

McCarthy plays Diana, a professional identity thief who uses her stolen credit cards to finance all she desires, and she desires quite a lot of stuff. Her latest victim is accountant Sandy Bigelow Patterson, played by Jason Bateman. 

While Diana is shopping up storm using Sandy’s identity, real-life accounts rep Sandy is finally seeing some good luck. The father of two, with another on the way, lands a new job with some colleagues who decide to set up their own firm. Sandy and his wife Trish (Amanda Peet) are thrilled, but not for long. 

A background check reveals some very unusual and worrying credit history for Sandy, and a conversation with the police, who won’t do a thing outside of the state jurisdiction, sets the scene for a road movie. Sandy must travel to Florida, and bring the criminal to Denver with him so she can face justice. 

Nothing is ever quite so easy though, of course, so naturally the journey is fraught with some mad-cap roadblocks, including bounty hunters, wild animals and even a hook-up in a dodgy roadside bar and motel. 

It’s a testament to McCarthy that even though her character is a thief who seems to ruin everything for the amiable Sandy from the opening seconds of the movie, it’s hard to dislike her.

Bit by bit, her backstory is revealed, and by the end of the movie there’s a natural redemption without using a typical ‘happy-ever-after’. 

McCarthy uses physical comedy to phenomenal effect, she throws herself around the set without any apparent regard for her well-being, and it truly makes for some laugh-out-loud moments. 

Bateman brings his character, who at the outset looks a little dull, heart and humour throughout the movie, with the two developing an unexpected friendship in a way that looks very real.

As for the aforementioned supporting cast; Jon Favreau summons every ounce of sleaze he can to play Sandy’s old boss, Go On’s John Cho is the buddy/new boss that gives Sandy the chance to prove his innocence, and Peet is the loving and understanding wife to the real Sandy. Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet is a highlight as the barfly Diana picks up; the pair’s scenes together are both hilarious and touching. Finally, stunning Genesis Rodriguez, rapper T.I. and Robert Patrick play the bounty-hunters on Diana’s tail for past crimes. 

Director Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses) has another hit comedy on his hands. Movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, and more recently Due Date have tread similar ground before, but it’s the addition of McCarthy to the mix that makes this a road trip worth revisiting. 

Identity Thief hits Irish cinemas on March 22nd, advance screenings take place S.Patrick's Weekend 16th, 17th and 18th March