The Heartbreak Kid (DVD)

One of my happiest delights in 2007 was watching the Ben Stiller comedy The Heartbreak Kid fail miserably at the box office. Normally I don't take pleasure in seeing something bomb, but in the case of this venal and disgusting remake of the 1972 classic I happily made an exception. Just call me Ms. Vindictive Film Critic.

If only the same thing would happen to the feature's DVD release. Of course, that's pretty doubtful, home video the saving grace for even the most miserable and horrific of supposed Hollywood entertainments. Even Hostel: Part II made money once it was released for home viewing, and as that was easily the most despicable movie of the entire year one can only conclude this Peter and Bobby Farrelly monstrosity will undoubtedly do the same.

As for the film itself, the less I probably say the better. The movie just isn't very funny. Worse, its main character is such an annoyingly neurotic oaf he deserves every bit of the pain and hardship thrust upon him during the course of the tale. This film is insipid, so much of the humor not so much politically incorrect (which I don't mind) as it is obvious and sophomoric.

There is some good news. Newcomer Malin Ackerman, at least on the surface, looks like she has the makings of a bona fide star. I applaud the way she throws herself so completely into all of this. The girl is amazingly endearing, even when she's being a total witch (and I'm positive all the puerile boys out there aren't going to mind she spends about a quarter of her screen time stark naked). But it isn't enough, nothing she or anyone else can do remotely able to actually make this film even somewhat palatable.

In a way, sitting here thinking about it I'm actually coming to the belief that the time of the Farrelly's has come to an end. Guys like Judd Apatow, Seth Rogan and Greg Mottola have stolen their thunder, using some of the brother's templates but infusing their pictures with heart, soul and endearing characters films like this, Shallow Hal and Stuck on You sadly lack. They've elevated the gross-out game to an entirely different level and the Farrelly's just haven't caught up, this summer's surprise hits Knocked Up and Superbad containing more laughs in five minutes than this one musters in almost two full hours.

As for the special features, I tried listening to the brother's audio commentary but they seem to be under the delusion they've made a comedic masterpiece and I just couldn't take hearing them yammer on and on. Otherwise, there is a collection of Deleted Scenes (one of which is admittedly pretty good and should have made it into the film), the requisite Gag Reel and a collection featurettes only one of which (the one on Ben and his father Jerry) is worth viewing. In other words, buy or rent The Heartbreak Kid at your own peril.