The argument from those who propose premarital sex and/or living together is that they need to make sure they're compatible with the person they love. In essence, they're saying they want to take a test drive before they buy the car, and thus make sure everything feels right. Once the marital vows have been exchanged, that's not the time one wants to learn something troubling about their significant other. After all, it's easier to do a trade-in for a different model before rather than after the purchase.
Pity Eddie Cantrow, a 40-year-old owner of a San Francisco sporting goods store who realizes -- in of all places, his car -- that his new bride loves to sing. Not in a professional manner, mind you, but rather the type that oft appears in movies or TV shows where the nonstop belting is done with such enthusiasm and high volume that it's bound to wear on her travel companion.
Thus, the journey of marital discovery begins for Eddie in "The Heartbreak Kid," and since he's played by Ben Stiller, we know the trip is only going to get worse for him, albeit in a comedic fashion. And that's particularly true considering that this remake of the 1972 film of the same name arrives courtesy of Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly, the cinematic siblings who previously put the actor through the humorous paces in "There's Something About Mary."
Pretty much following the outline of Neil Simon's plot from the first film, the filmmakers have returned to their earlier successful form following a few missteps in the shadow of "Mary's" success. While certainly not a perfect comedy, and clearly a more vulgar version than its predecessor, it does deliver the laughs, as long as you don't mind the raucous and randy material.
But first the complaints. Most obviously, Stiller is just playing the umpteenth version of the same character he nearly always does nowadays -- the good-natured if slightly inept guy who loses his cool as the bad things that happen to him start to pile up. Artistic growth aside, you can't blame the guy for milking his multi-million dollar meal ticket for everything it's worth, but there are few surprises from the actor. It's a comfortable, if somewhat boring performance (although one of these days you expect he's going to pop a blood vessel or two doing the pent-up, exasperated thing yet again).
Then there's the plot switcheroo and needed catalyst where his bride -- embodied by Malin Akerman -- turns from seemingly nice girl next door to raving lunatic and nymphomaniac as they near and then cross the border into Mexico. It's not exactly Montezuma's revenge (although there is some related crude humor, albeit with a twist), but the sudden switch is jarring. I realize it's a comedy and things don't need to be realistic (especially considering all that follows), but a little (okay, a lot) more finesse could have made the transition easier to swallow.
What it does, however, is set up the basic comedic elements where Eddie is so shocked, nay, repulsed by Lila's previously undisclosed secrets and behavior that he ends up in the arms of single lacrosse coach (Michelle Monaghan). Okay, not exactly that close, but at least in the vicinity of her presence where her normalcy draws him in like a Mexican bar for college spring-breakers.
He then tries to juggle the two women while keeping each secret from the other, all while dealing with other characters and complications designed for maximum comedic effect. And that's where the filmmakers do their best, delivering one funny situation after another, often smartly returning to previous material for an increased effect. Granted, much of it's hit or miss, and much of it may be too crude for some/many viewers.
Yet, there are laughs to be had, both outrageous in nature as well as more subtle and nuanced (such as the cell phone ring tone for Rob Corddry's best friend character showing exactly what he thinks of his wife). Corddry gets some of the funniest material in the supporting role, while Ben's dad Jerry gets to do something of an R-rated riff on his old "Seinfeld" character.
Those looking for sophisticated comedy will need to search elsewhere (and may walk out if they're sensitive to crude sexual humor), but those desirous of the antics found long ago in "There's Something About Mary" may just enjoy the filmmakers' return to their old form. While nothing special, "The Heartbreak Kid" does deliver enough laughs, both big and small, to warrant a 5 out of 10 rating.
![[Screen It]](/images/underground_header.jpg)