‘ALONG CAME POLLY’ FALLS FLAT
by: Josh Marks
It’s unfortunate that Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston have no chemistry in Along Came Polly, a “romantic comedy” directed by John Hamburg (Zoolander, Meet the Parents, Safe Men).
Maybe this film wouldn’t have been so disappointing had there been some romantic sparks between the two of them. Instead, audiences will have to settle for a few hilarious one-liners and gross-out scenes; and a few great, but way too short, performances from a supporting cast of Hank Azaria, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Alec Baldwin.
Reuben Feffer (Stiller), a risk analyst at an insurance company, marries Lisa Kramer (Debra Messing). On their honeymoon she cheats on him with a French scuba instructor (Azaria). Feffer returns to New York City - distraught and alone. His boss (Baldwin) tries to console him in a very funny office bathroom scene. His friend and washed up movie star, Sandy Lyle (Hoffman), is no better at helping Feffer with his relationship issues.
Stiller’s character meets Polly Prince (Aniston), a classmate from 7th grade who is as flaky and carefree as Feffer is uptight and risk free (his job and his lifestyle are intertwined). The rest of the movie focuses on the ups and downs of their budding relationship.
While the supporting cast shines, and Stiller and Aniston are likeable in their quirky ways, this movie is mediocre for two reasons. Most of the comedy falls flat or feels rehashed from other Stiller projects, leaving the few really hilarious scenes few and far between. Also, a real romantic connection is just never established between Stiller and Aniston - however hard they try to force it. All in all, Along Came Polly is good for a few laughs, but like the blind ferret Aniston’s character owns, it just keeps hitting its head against the wall.