2008 Woodie Awards
Stiller performance underwhelming, 'heartbreaking'
By Ivan Moore
Rocket Movie Critic
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Focus
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But when it comes to matters of romance, Stiller is a little bit out of his range, with performances that are unbelievably heartbreaking.
And this is exactly what happens in Stiller's new romantic comedy, "The Heartbreak Kid."
Stiller plays Rueben Feffer, an awkwardly charming man afraid of taking risks. Oh, wait-that was his character in "Along Came Polly."
In "Kid," Stiller plays Eddie Cantrow, an awkwardly charming man afraid of taking risks.
Apparently, in order for Stiller to be cast in a romantic comedy, he has to play the same guy with the same problems.
Pretty soon he will just be awkward and not very charming, and maybe then he will stop making these mediocre romantic comedies.
Cantrow, just like "Polly's" Feffer, gets fed up with the lack of risk in his life and takes a big one by marrying the next woman he dates, even though they have only known each other for six weeks.
Everything is fine and dandy for Cantrow until the honeymoon, when he realizes the Cadillac of a woman he just married is a lemon. Playing that lemon is Malin Akerman in her biggest role to date.
There is good reason that up to this point, Akerman could only be seen in bit parts on failing TV series like "Witchblade" and it's her acting, as there is nothing special in her performance at all.
Adding to the abysmal honeymoon and film is the always-unimpressive Carlos Mencia playing the wacky, porn-loving hotel concierge, Uncle Tito.
Dressing up the very unfunny Mencia in a fake moustache and ridiculous wig makes him even less funny.
Not only should his film career end with this movie, but Comedy Central should do the whole world a favor and cancel that horrible program, "Mind of Mencia."
Saving Cantrow from his miserable honeymoon is Miranda, a Mississippian beauty played effortlessly by Michelle Monaghan ("Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang").
If there is one good aspect to this film, it has to be Monaghan. She was perfectly cast as any man's dream woman, and she pulls it off with charm and grace.
Looking past the acting performances, which were generally awful, the film itself is just plain gross.
After all of these years of prosthetic male genitals caught in zippers, the Farrelly brothers ("There's Something About Mary") still haven't managed to make me laugh with their lowbrow shtick (with "Dumb and Dumber" as the only possible exception).
As funny as human-donkey bestiality is, the line has to be drawn at female public urination.
If Stiller would stick to characters like "Zoolander's" Derek Zoolander or "Dodgeball's" White Goodman, the world would be a lot better off.
His place in the "Frat Pack" with Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, and the Wilson brothers is solidified, but for some reason Stiller feels like he must branch out and make stinkers like "Duplex."
There is just nothing fantastic about "The Heartbreak Kid."
The acting was so-so, the jokes were stupid beyond belief and the real Heartbreak Kid, World Wrestling Entertainment's Shawn Michaels, didn't even make a cameo.
Unless you're such a fan of Stiller that your restraining order keeps you from stalking him, there is no reason to support another poor romantic comedy effort from him by seeing this film.
Save yourself from a broken heart, and skip over "The Heartbreak Kid."
Ivan Moore is a senior communication major and a regular contributor to The Rocket.
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