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The Heartbreak Kid

Comedy buzz kill may break the hearts of diehard Farrelly fans

By Matt Pais

October 5, 2007

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Critic's Rating:

Photos:

The Heartbreak Kid

Running time:: 118 minutes

Rated:: R

Cast:

Ben Stiller -

Eddie

Michelle Monaghan -

Miranda

Jerry Stiller -

Doc

Malin Akerman -

Lila

Carlos Mencia -

Uncle Tito

See full cast

Director:: Peter Farrelly, Bobby Farrelly

Genre:: Comedy

Official Movie Web Site:: http://www.heartbreakkidmovie.com/

Movie Trailer:

Overall User Rating:: (1 rating)

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Eddie (Ben Stiller) rushes into marriage with Lila (Malin Akerman) only to discover that she's actually an unemployed, sexually depraved former coke fiend. This less-than-blissful information comes out during the couple's honeymoon in Cabo, where Eddie falls for irresistible Miranda (Michelle Monaghan of "Mission: Impossible III" and the upcoming "Gone Baby Gone"), who's vacationing with her family.

Big question: Can Peter and Bobby Farrelly's ("There's Something About Mary," "Fever Pitch") remake put their own stamp on Neil Simon's 1972 flick and prove that Stiller still has a functioning funny bone?

Skip it: Instead of working an audience into a continuous howl like "Mary," "The Heartbreak Kid" will have you sitting in silence, waiting for a joke not involving things like pills and peppers stuck up the nose. The movie closes on a rancid note that kills any romantic vibes like mayonnaise cooking in a sauna.

Catch it: To learn the secret to Subway's success, courtesy of Miranda's franchise-owning cousin: "If you keep the tuna fresh, they'll keep coming back." It's not as easy as it sounds!

Bottom line: Monaghan is quietly becoming one of Hollywood's most appealing actresses, and she's the one reason "Heartbreak" is better than "Good Luck Chuck." Otherwise, the sex jokes are impotent, the misunderstandings pathetic and the Farrellys' mix of sweet and sour never so embarrassingly out of sync.

Bonus: At last, a movie featuring Jerry Stiller talking about women's panties, Carlos Mencia as an unfunny and stereotypical Mexican hotel employee, and multiple scenes with a mariachi band that won't go away. Our prayers have been answered!