Tuesday, 6 July 2004
Along Came Polly
When writing my movie "reviews" (I'll admit it: they're pretty much my using movies as an excuse to go off at the mouth), I might give the impression that my tastes lean a bit toward the elitist. You know, "those who can, do; those who can't, review." But despite being hard to satisfy, I like a simple, fun movie just like the next person.
"A simple, fun movie" pretty much sums up Along Came Polly. Ben Stiller has some pretty decent credits to his name, and seems to be able to get away with loads of silly movies while retaining his credibility. Jennifer Aniston, on the other hand, has done a few respectable films - but will probably always be remembered for her role in "Friends."
So really, what to say about this film? Stiller plays the comically neurotic guy, a slapstick Woody Allen. Aniston is neurotic in her own way, a seemingly normal person but one with some dubious beliefs - including some about relationships. In short, a normal, flaky couple.
In light of this being a "just for fun" kind of outing, and one that didn't knock me off my feet (unlike some others), I'm going to pass on actually trying to review the film. It's fun; it's not ever going to be a classic, but it's a decent hour and a half in the theatre.
On the other hand, I'll always hold the Farrelly brothers responsible for the amount of toilet humor that passes for comedy nowadays. I'm all for sick jokes (in the right movie), but poop problems are just overplayed. If you're going to do it, do it fast and do it original. When you're watching a movie that telegraphs everything (like this one did), it just gets annoying.
I did really appreciate the whole decorative throw-pillow scene. I'm far from a "stuff" kind of person, and I have a pretty low tolerance for - let's just say it - crap. A girl who'd knife to shreds these kind of things is the kind of girl for me.
As far as people in the film, the undisputed high note is Hank Azaria. The man behind several characters on "The Simpsons," he doesn't bat an eye at playing a laid-back - waaay laid back - French surfer - waaay French. He was hilarious, especially considering how well he nailed the ticks and mannerisms of the very people surrounding me in the theatre. It's a neat trick to pull when you can get the French laughing at their stereotyped mannerisms, and Azaria does it almost effortlessly.
3 / 5 - watch this one, laugh, then forget about it - just like all the other generic dating comedies before and after it