The Farrelly brothers first arose to fame with the release of their 1994 cult classic “Dumb and Dumber”. Credited with helping launch Jim Carreys’ film career the two brothers then went on to direct the 1998 pop culture phenomenon “There’s something about Mary”. Now, almost 8 years later the brothers reunite with Ben Stiller to deliver there newest stab at romantic comedies with “The Heartbreak Kid”.
True to the Farrellys’ formula of “the grosser the better” this new film does not disappoint. The film relies heavily on sex jokes more than anything else through out the entire film, even going as far as two have two sex scenes devoted to the running gag. Then there’s the scene about the jellyfish…I won’t bother going into details but it’s definitely one of the grosser gags throughout the entire film. For this reason alone I wouldn’t recommend this film. For those who don’t find jokes of the sexual humor funny this wouldn’t be a very funny experience. The same goes for those who like their comedies to be more than just one joke.
Another downfall with this movie is that Ben Stiller isn’t really all that likeable. It’s hard to like a guy who wants to leave his wife on their honeymoon, and for superficial reasons at that. Basically, the Farrelly brothers wanted the audience to overlook the fact that the main character was cheating on his wife and laugh at the fact that he was stuck being married to a dunce of a wife. Call me old fashion but I don’t really find adultery funny. I’m not really sure why the Farrelly’s decided to deviate from the original plot, yes this movie is another remake, but they decided to and it really hurts the film.
But I don’t want to make it seem like this film is all bad, they’re where actually some really funny parts in the film. The over the top acting of Stiller and crew really helps lift the film up. Actually, the first half of the film was rather enjoyable. Its only when the sex jokes and bad plot are introduced that the film goes into a nose dive and the potential for a good movie is squandered. Sure, it would have been no “There’s something about Mary” but it would have been a really good romantic comedy if it emphasized more if its actor’s abilities. Ben Stiller can do nothing but stand in a room making stupid faces and be funny, his “horrible”, wife played by Canadian actress Malin Ã…kerman, had so many funny lines it would be pointless of me to try and count them all, and his best friend Eddie, played by Rob Corddry, and his father Doc, played by Ben’s father Jerry Stiller, easily has some of the more funnier lines. It was really disappointing to see all that talented wasted because of the sorry plot and sagging jokes.
Ultimately, I would advise people to shy away from this movie and wait for the next Stiller or Farrelly film. If you’re really want to see it at least wait a month or two until it makes it to DVD. But if you really want to see it and can’t wait to shell out ten bucks, or twenty if you’re with a date, be for warned that like the title suggests you may leave the theater heartbroken.
