Film reviews
Along
Came Polly, Dir; John Hamburg, Cert; 12A
Ok,
so what did you expect? Let’s face it, this was never going to be
a remarkable blend of intelligent dialogue, incredible character portrayals
and clever plot twists now was it?
Taken for what it is – an inoffensive run of the mill romantic comedy
with a few belly laughs – “Along Came Polly” is a fairly
entertaining little film (if a little predictable).
I think it’s fair to say that Ben Stiller is pretty much the same
here as he was in “Meet the Parents” or even his earlier role
in “There’s Something About Mary” – a likeable imbecile,
unlucky in love, who is prone to highlighting his buffoonery to the hilt
at the most ill opportune moments.
His opposite number here, Jennifer Aniston, similarly just reprises (again)
her role as Rachel from “Friends”. Still, I can think of several
other actors who have carved a thirty year career out of continually seeming
to play the same character, so I’m not going to berate anyone around
here for a minor fact like that!
The main story revolves around the happily married couple of Reuben (Stiller)
and Lisa Feffer (Debra Messing), which ultimately ends in disaster when
the newlywed bride succumbs (on her honeymoon) to her carnal cravings
with the naked French scuba diving instructor Claude (played wonderfully
OTT by Hank Azaria).
The rest of the film concentrates on the relationship between Stiller
and Aniston, and an obvious dilemma that will return to haunt our main
protagonist later.
Anyway, as I said, it’s generally all harmless fun, though it has
to be said that the vast majority of the movie’s highlights are brought
to us courtesy of the ever watchable Philip Seymour Hoffman, as Reuben’s
best friend Sandy Lyle ( I kid you not!).
So, in summation, this is hardly destined to be remembered as a work of
art, and it DOES get much too schmaltzy and sappy towards the end for
my liking, but overall, if your expectations aren’t too high to begin
with, it’s a film that’s easy enough to enjoy. 7/10
Tone E
Odeon
Online
