I've seen all the movies by the Farrelly Brothers, but this one had slipped by until now. They have a very wild sense of humor and (for the most part) have all been worth recommending to someone. THE HEARTBREAK KID was released in 2007, coming and going in a flash. Some of the reviews were savage, but it's clearly not among the worst movies. In fact, I actually enjoy it and if you're up for the antics here, then you might too. [Admittedly, I have not seen the original film of the same name from 1972 so I have no basis for comparison there.]
The story begins in San Francisco and involves Ben Stiller coming to a decisive point in his life, looking at his next steps. He meets the lovely Malin Ackerman and they soon begin a relationship. Within six weeks she finds out that she'll have to transfer to Rotterdam, Germany for work. The only way she can stay in the country is if she is married. Ben is encouraged by his father (real life dad Jerry Stiller) and his buddy (always funny Rob Corddry) to 'live life' and is asked 'why not?'. Cue the wedding bells. Cue also the consequences of such an impulsive decision, Farrelly-style. It is immediately clear that he knows very little about his newlywed bride and things soon begin to escalate as they embark upon their honeymoon.
This girl doesn't just have little annoying tics (there are some), she has huge problems (there are many). She just didn't seem to think about mentioning any of them to him. They arrive at their luxurious resort in Cabo and he has already become scared and exasperated on night one. When he meets a perky southern family, he gets swept up in the fun that they're having (as opposed to the dread he now feels when he's with his bride). Once he meets smiley Michelle Monaghan, the plot thickens. Why won't he just tell her he's married?? Movies like this don't make it that easy.
I ended up getting to see THE HEARTBREAK KID two and a half times in the last few days and it grew on me. There is some "been there, done that" feeling, but lesser comedies have that in much larger doses. If you think of this as a semi-sequel to THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY then you won't feel as bothered (Ben Stiller the put-upon protagonist? No way!) Malin Ackerman even has some distinct Cameron Diaz qualities about her, though this character becomes very selfish and near-irredeemable (nearly) at the movie's mid-point. Her character is actually trying to do better in life and just needs alot of help, though it's too bad that her violent temper drives away a man that may have been able to assist her.
When you realize that the Farrellys haven't done an R-rated comedy since ME, MYSELF & IRENE in 2000, you realize that their dirty comedy muscles just needed flexing again. The sex scenes use some very descriptive, hilarious language and there is at least one visual late in the film that is a female equivalent of "franks and beans". A fun movie overall and definitely worth a rental. Probably one that flew under your radar too.
Also of note is Danny McBride. If you've been seeing some of the more popular summer comedies lately (TROPIC THUNDER, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS), you may have discovered Danny, who brings along his mustache for a supporting appearance here. Farrelly trivia: The presence of Polly Holliday as one of Michelle Monaghan's family members. You know... Flo. Like the tv show.
I expected to like this movie, but instead I loved it. The more Disney princess movies you've seen, the better you'll like ENCHANTED. There is plenty of influence that has been crafted into it and lovingly so. Released around Thanksgiving of 2007, ENCHANTED features the lovely Amy Adams as cartoon heroine Giselle, who has been banished to real world New York City by a jealous wicked queen (played by Susan Sarandon). That's where the real fun begins as Giselle slowly discovers that this world is not quite the same as her own. However, she does still have her outgoing personality, perky charm, and the ability to communicate with animals. She is cared for by the mystified character of Patrick Dempsey. Soon, her fair prince (James Marsden) is on her trail, accompanied by the weasely Nathaniel (the engaging Timothy Spall, who young Harry Potter fans will surely recognize and immediately distrust). There is also Giselle's chipmunk pal, Pip, who is accustomed to regularly using english, but is reduced to chirps and chitters in our world.
Amy Adams is continuously beautiful throughout the movie, as befits a gal deserving of princess stature, but her innocent expressions and comedic timing kept me smiling. She was previously at her cute-best in Spielberg's CATCH ME IF YOU CAN opposite Leonardo DiCaprio. She was well utilized in TALLADEGA NIGHTS ("Ricky Bobby is a driver, not a thinker!") and was Oscar-nominated for her sweet performance in the indie JUNEBUG. Amy is still climbing high, co-starring this winter with Meryl Streep as a nun in DOUBT. Athough she was honored with nominations by the Golden Globes and others, the Academy overlooked her lovely turn here in ENCHANTED (which is often the case with comedy).
The music is sparse compared to the Disney films from which ENCHANTED is inspired, but the songs are infectiously catchy (not irritable) and those sequences alone are worth repeating. You can tell the entire cast is having a blast with their characters and enjoying themselves. Children of all ages will enjoy themselves too. There is alot to love here and the filmmakers deliver it with a wink and a smile.
One more photo of Amy... just because.
This is exponentially better than TWELVE and on-par with ELEVEN. Elliott Gould is royally screwed over and sent to the hospital, so George Clooney and the Gang get back together for a caper against egotistical Al Pacino's land-grabbing casino owner. The difference here is that unlike in TWELVE, everyone has something to do and a purpose for being in the film together.
It's set in Vegas again, which is a great setting when a film can do the ol' town justice. While it was a departure from ELEVEN before it, OCEAN'S TWELVE removed the team from America and took on an entirely different agenda, becoming too mixed-up and convoluted (the guys themselves even questioned why Danny Ocean was the self-appointed leader). The excess characters have been jettisoned ("it's not their fight") while the colorful ones of the past (like Eddie Izzard and Andy Garcia) have been included and officially make up "numbers twelve and thirteen" from what I can tell. New faces include David Paymer as "The V.U.P." in a terrific comic relief role, Ellen Barkin (who's never been hotter) and Pacino playing notes never seen the way he slimily does here.
Steven Soderbergh continues to direct interesting films, big and small. His cinematography here makes you want to touch the lights. I would also be remiss by not mentioning the too-cool-for-school musical score by David Holmes. Excellent as always.
OCEAN'S THIRTEEN takes it all back where it started and rightfully so. I felt let down by TWELVE and regrettably let THIRTEEN slip past last summer on the big screen (though I did go to the outside of the Chicago premiere and see Clooney, Damon, and the late Bernie Mac, in person). It's a fun film with a throwback feel that easily lives up to the Sinatra-style era of the past. Definitely roll the dice and give it a chance.
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