The Heartbreak Kid

At its best, “The Heartbreak Kid” plays as a gleefully exaggerated raunch fest with little concern for romance or sensitivity. At its worst (which is quite often), it serves as nothing more than a lowbrow comedy that’s so painstakingly outlandish that not even the reliable Ben Stiller can prevent it from digging an early grave. Why the Farrelly Brothers felt it was necessary to put their own bawdy spin on Elaine May’s 1972 classic remains a mystery, but given their past successes, I can’t really blame them for taking the plunge.

Stiller plays Eddie Cantrow, an owner of a sporting goods store who is desperately trying to find the woman of his dreams despite having a self-serving mentality combined with an irrational fear of commitment. He was previously engaged for five years, but found himself unable to pull the trigger when faced with such a life-altering decision. His father is constantly on his case as to why he hasn’t found a woman yet and after attending the wedding of his previous fiancée, he realizes that something definitely needs to change.

While walking down the street one day, he comes across an attractive woman named Lila (Malin Akerman) and an awkward relationship quickly ensues in which the Farrellys dig out one shameless gag after another in hopes of rekindling some of that “There’s Something About Mary” appeal. Six weeks later, they’re married and on their way to Mexico to explore different avenues of their relationship.

Given Eddie’s past situation, I have a difficult time believing that he would get married that quickly to a woman he literally knows nothing about. Every act seems to be contradictory to previous circumstances and by the time the eye-catching Miranda (Michelle Monaghan) comes into play, this story is so befuddled that I don’t even think the creators know what message is being sent.

Their entire focus seems to be on figuring out cruel and sadistic ways to torture Lila so Eddie will have more opportunities to spend passionate nights out with Miranda. They should’ve eliminated Lila altogether and just focused on Eddie and Miranda’s relationship, because I assure you, THAT would’ve been more interesting.

Because of this, I almost began to feel sorry that Malin Akerman had to endure this heartless barrage of malice just so the Farrellys could keep the story going. Her interpretation of this character teeters between adorable and offensively annoying, but if that’s indeed how the character was written, she’s more than done her job.

In the end though, this misguided remake has nothing to show for itself except a few really funny gags and a killer David Bowie soundtrack, which might be the best thing about the film. When your funniest joke (and it’s pretty darn funny in its own uncomfortable way) involves urine and a jelly fish, you better have the emotional substance to bring things back to reality. For the Farrelly Brothers, that memo clearly got lost in the mail.

- ** out of 4

Side Note - Carlos Mencia is not funny.