by Britt Gillette
Over the past decade, Ben Stiller has displayed a propensity for producing blockbuster comedies, and Along Came Polly is a fun and enjoyable comedy. Although not on the hilarity level of There's Something About Mary, Meet The Parents, or Zoolander - Along Came Polly is nonetheless a funny film (and it's certainly better than the horrid Duplex fiasco with Drew Barrymore). Ben Stiller again plays the role of the nice guy, but this time with a neurotic twist. As a result, the audience still likes his character, just perhaps not as much as some of Stiller's previous roles. But with some hilarious comedy sequences and good one-liners, Along Came Polly manages to keep its viewers entertained quite nicely...
Ben Stiller plays the role of Reuben Feffer, an insurance man who avoids risk in every aspect of his life. Measuring everything from the probability of falling through a sidewalk grate to the odds of a piano falling on one's head, he calculates every decision he makes. Following his wedding to Lisa Kramer (Debra Messing), Reuben is devastated when (avoiding the risk of scuba diving), he catches his new bride having an affair with a scuba instructor on their honeymoon. Forced to reevaluate his life, Reuben determines that he needs to take on more risk in his life.
With the help of his friend Sandy, Reuben gets out into the public arena once again, where he runs into former junior high school classmate Polly Prince (Jennifer Aniston). Polly is the exact opposite of Reuben in almost every way, and he decides to pursue her so as to have more fun in his life. Everything goes well until Lisa returns hoping to win Reuben back, and Polly discovers that Reuben ran a risk analysis on their relationship, determining that Polly was a good risk to take. Now Reuben must decide what to do with his life...
Jennifer Aniston, in her role as Polly Prince, turns in another great performance as a leading character's girlfriend (Office Space and Bruce Almighty). Playing a character whose attitude, demeanor, and life are the total opposite of Stiller's, the two Hollywood mainstays are able to save an otherwise adequately written screenplay. Some of the more hilarious scenes involve Reuben's has-been actor friend Sandy Lyle (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who continues to live off of his short-lived fame as "the kid with the bagpipes" in a 1980's movie similar to The Breakfast Club. In one scene, Sandy also "sharts" (a fart that's a little bit more than a fart), forcing Reuben to leave a party prematurely.
Overall, Along Came Polly is a fun and entertaining film that's well worth the time spent. Although Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston have both made better films, it does have its high points. Movie-goers will find this to be a good, light-hearted romantic comedy with Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller stealing the show. Because of its headline talent and some good one-liners, Along Came Polly makes the cut as a highly recommended, must-see movie.
About the Author
Britt Gillette is a movie reviewer for The DVD Report, a dvd review blog where this Along Came Polly Review can be found.
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