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The Heartbreak Kid
Directed by: Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly
Starring: Ben Stiller
Genre:
Comedy
Run Time: 116 min.
Release Date:
October 2007
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Those who know Ben Stiller
films (MEET THE FOCKERS and
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM) know that they
are to be taken lightly. In other words, leave your brain at the door
and get down to those base instincts when you watch one of his flicks:
hunger, sex ...and more sex. And THE HEARTBREAK KID is no exception.
And so the story goes...
Eddie (Stiller) is having commitment issues. He seems destined to be
THE
40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, but without the virginity. He just can’t find the
right gal to marry and looks to be headed toward loneliness in his
latter years. This is proven to be correct when he’s invited to an
ex-girlfriend’s wedding and has to sit at the singles’ table which is
surrounded by 12 year olds. His father Doc (real-life father Jerry
Stiller, HAIRSPRAY) doesn’t have much sound advice, nor does his best
friend Mac (Rob Corddry,
FAILURE TO LAUNCH). His father is only
interested in the carnal portions of any relationship, while Mac is so
whipped by his wife he can’t do or go anywhere without her knowing it
(his personalized ring-tone for her is hilarious, by the way).
But then Eddie meets Lila (Malin Akerman) and his life seems to have
found its partner ...until they go on their honeymoon. “Like a switch”
being turned, Lila begins to exhibit some very unusual behavior,
including rough sex talk (and rough sex itself) and information about
her life that startles Eddie (“I thought you worked?”) After Lila gets a
nasty sunburn, Eddie heads out onto the beaches of Cabo and meets the
girl of his dreams. Her name is Miranda (Michelle Monaghan,
GONE BABY
GONE) and she’s on vacation with her father, mother, cousins, and
brothers. The two spark immediately and Eddie feels the need to get out
of his new marriage and into something of more ...umm ...stability with
Miranda.
Miscommunications and deceit are the nature with which Eddie finds
himself lost in the quagmire of newlywedism and true love.
Bit parts move the film along, including a typical nasty role from
Carlos Mencia as Tito, a perverted employee at the hotel where Eddie is
staying; and Roy Jenkins as Buzz, Miranda’s brother and protector who
shoves a few things where they don’t belong when he learns of Eddie’s
deception.
The film’s most troubling aspect, though, is that it jumps around a lot
and loses focus. From Carlos Mencia placing his “thing” in Lila’s hand,
to a very long section about Eddie trying to get back to America and
having to go “wet-back” in order to do so, these diversions really hurt
the main portions of the film.
But the surprise ending really helped the story tremendously. I won’t
give it away, but I will say that it surprised me greatly; I hadn’t seen
it coming but it was perfectly in line with what probably would’ve
actually happened.
Just remember, though, it’s still comedy-lite.
P.S. Did anyone else think of Cameron Diaz in the role of Miranda? Maybe
it was just me...
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Image from The Heartbreak
Kid
DVD cost: $13.99
Purchase:
Tower.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
Eddie's father, Doc, is
played by Jerry Stiller, Ben Stiller's father in real life.
Movie Quote: "Are
you out of your mind? Funny's a male gene, you idiot. Haven't you ever
noticed whenever you see a really funny girl, she's a little mannish?
Think about it. Lily Tomlin, Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O'Donnell..."
Other Actors/Actresses
from The Heartbreak Kid
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