Thumb: Down
Notable Characters:
Ben Stiller – Eddie Cantrow
Michelle Monaghan – Miranda
Malin Akerman – Lila
Plot (contains spoilers): Eddie Cantrow, a 40 something entrepreneur, is having trouble finding the right girl. After attending an ex-girlfriends wedding and becoming more obsessed with his inability to find the right person, he runs into Lila who is an environmental researcher. Very quickly he falls in love and pops the question after 6 weeks of dating. On their honeymoon he starts to realize that this woman is not who he thought she was. As Lila becomes crazier and crazier as the honeymoon continues, Eddie meets Miranda. Unable to explicitly tell Miranda that he is married, the two become closer, end up falling in love only to have the truth be discovered, and Miranda exits from his life forever. Determined to be happy, he divorces Lila, spends 6 months in Mexico, seeks out Miranda, discovers that she has gotten married, and starts life all over. In the end, Eddie has opened up a sporting goods shop in Mexico, since Lila got the old store in the divorce, and Miranda shows up to express her true feelings for Eddie. Too bad Eddie has already gotten remarried.
Reasons why I didn’t like it:
• Completely inappropriate. I think the Farrelly brothers are losing their touch and have decided that being crude and vulgar is the only way that they can get people to see their movies. There were many times where it seemed that they were being dirty just to be dirty. I’m sorry to say, being vulgar to be funny does not take that much talent.
• It wasn’t that funny. Jerry Stiller also made an appearance and was horrible. They put him in the role of sex-crazed dad and you should read the previous point to see my opinion on vulgarity.
• Someone needs to tell Ben Stiller that he needs to try to play a different character. If you have seen one Ben Stiller movie, then you know what kind of character he plays in this movie.
Reason why I liked it:
• Michelle Monaghan was a bright spot. She played her part well and I think the reason she was a bright spot is because she was the only character that was not crude.
Final Notes:
Horrible movie. Please do not waste your money, even to rent. Probably the only time that I wish that I was born with two thumbs on my hand so that I could give it two thumbs down.
Young's Review
Part of the reason we started doing this blog was to stop people from spending their hard earned money on bad movies. With that in mind, I consider it my duty to warn anyone reading this to stay away from ‘The Heartbreak Kid’.
This remake of the 1972 cult classic should never have seen the light of day, and I am giving it a ‘thumbs down’.
There are so many things wrong with this film, it’s hard to know where to start. First of all, the premise is preposterous. Eddie Cantrow, an unlucky in love 37-year-old played by Ben Stiller (Meet The Parents), is convinced he will never get married. He then meets, briefly courts, and marries Lila (Malin Akerman). During the honeymoon in Mexico, Eddie comes to find out that he doesn’t know Lila at all. For example, he finds out that she is hopelessly in debt due to a previous cocaine addiction. There is also the issue of her snoring problem and her sadomasochistic preferences in the bedroom.
While checking into his hotel, Eddie meets Miranda (Michelle Monaghan). They strike up a friendship, which turns into a budding romance. A mix-up over Eddie’s true marital status ensues, and then things get really complicated.
This film is predictable and tedious. Much like ‘The Game Plan’, the funniest parts were shown during the trailer. The acting is mostly subpar. Ben Stiller, whom I generally enjoy, plays essentially the same character he normally does. The difference this time is that he comes off as a major jerk. Akerman‘s performance was totally unoriginal. The entire time I kept thinking I was watching Cameron Diaz. Jerry Stiller’s turn as Eddie’s father Doc was also disappointing. While it was nice to see Jerry and Ben play out their real life relationship on screen for the first time, I expected a bit more from Frank Costanza.
Screenwriters and directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly (aka The Farrelly Brothers) have helmed several comedies I enjoy very much, such as ‘Shallow Hal’ and ‘Fever Pitch’. And it’s no secret that they often ramp up the stupidity and raunchiness factors (see ‘Dumb and Dumber’ and ‘There’s Something About Mary’). The common trait in all of those movies is that they featured characters that you rooted for. That isn’t the case here.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the few bright spots in the film. Michelle Monaghan (The Bourne Supremacy) is the unquestionable highlight. She is funny and charming as Miranda. Eddie’s best friend Mac (Rob Corddroy) is hilarious, especially when he is dropping gangsta rap references into his conversations with Eddie. Miranda’s cousins Buzz (Roy Jenkins) and Martin (Danny McBride) are also very funny. There were several laugh-out loud moments in the film, just not enough to offset all the negatives.
I had high hopes going in and was majorly disappointed. I implore you not to make the same mistake James and I did in spending eight bucks for it. If you must see it, rent it. Better yet, rent the original version with Charles Grodin.
Other Ben Stiller Movies
Other Michelle Monaghan Movies
Other Malin Akerman Movies
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