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Along Came Polly on DVD (2004)

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Average rating: 61%
1216620101013
3.0
from 6,357 members
 
Starring: Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Debra Messing, Alec Baldwin, Hank Azaria, Bryan Brown
Director: John Hamburg, John Hamburg
Studio: UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK VIDEO RENTAL
Run time: 86 mins
Certificate: 12
Collections: 100 Rom-Coms
User collections: Fancy A Laugh, Starting my collection
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Languages: English
Hearing-impaired: English
Released: 02/07/2004

Brief synopsis of Along Came Polly

Writer-director John Hamburg, (writer of ZOOLANDER and MEET THE PARENTS), teams once again with Ben Stiller to make an offbeat character study that is guaranteed to induce helpless laughter. Reuben, an overanxious insurance risk analyst (Stiller), weighs his every action by assessing pros and cons. He finds himself dumped on his honeymoon by fickle wife Lisa (Debra Messing) who runs off with Jacques, a nudist scuba instructor (Hank Azaria). A few days later, Reuben is back in New York at a pretentious gallery opening, wondering why he's bothering to test the waters so soon, when along comes Polly Price (Jennifer Aniston), a quirky, worldly, adventurous soul, whose only flaw appears to be a generalised lack of commitment. The formerly germ-obsessed, controlling Reuben is transformed by Polly's free spirit, her predilection for spicy food, and her pet ferret. Her love of salsa dancing makes him jealous and painfully uncomfortable. But his heart is aflame.
Hamburg, who began his directorial career with SAFE MEN, has proven himself a reliable producer of charming realism and a brand of comedy comparable to that of the Farrelly brothers. Editor William Kerr has an extraordinary sense of comic timing, which gives ALONG CAME POLLY's funny factor a boost. Stiller's salsa solo is striking--the actor is actually an amazing dancer. Last but not least, Philip Seymour Hoffman (PUNCH DRUNK LOVE, FLAWLESS) nearly steals the show as Reuben's best friend Sandy Lyle who plays both Jesus and Judas in a community production of GODSPELL.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 2 stars out of 5 Radio Times

The problem with this film from Meet the Parents co-writer John Hamburg is that it doesn't know what kind of comedy it wants to be. Predominantly, it's an agreeable romantic comedy, derivative yet cute, with Ben Stiller playing an overly cautious risk assessor who falls for wild former school pal Jennifer Aniston after his new wife cheats on him during their honeymoon. Stiller and Aniston's performances are reassuringly familiar, demonstrating a comfortable chemistry that's enjoyable to watch. However, getting gentle amusement from the foibles of modern romance is evidently insufficient for Hamburg, who insists upon throwing in incongruous gross-out humour that would make even the Farrelly Brothers wince. Such attempts to widen the movie's appeal give it an entirely uneven tone, and turn the usually brilliant Philip Seymour Hoffman into a nausea-inducing horror as Stiller's vulgar best friend. Ultimately, it's the characters' pratfalls and behavioural idiosyncrasies that provide the loudest laughs, but more genuine bite, particularly dialogue-wise, could have worked wonders.

Time Out

For a man who doesn't like to take chances, Reuben Feffer (Stiller) isn't slow at coming forward. A fortnight after a... Read more on www.timeout.com

Halliwell's Film Guide

Contrived romantic comedy of the unlikely attraction of opposites that is an embarrassment for all.

See all 5 Critics Reviews »

Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 1 starsFormulaic

LeoM from London [Highly rated reviewer] , 03/08/2005

Unimaginative dross. Tries to cash in on the success of similar (and better) romantic comedies of the past but fails dramatically. Typical Ben Stiller formula: falls in love, always unlucky, events always conspiring against him, gets girl, the end. 1 star awarded because Anniston is actually okay in this and manages, to a certain degree, to throw off her 'Rachel from Friends' shackles.

  26 out of 26 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsAnd she brought along a top notch supporting cast as well...

theOneliner.com from Truth Or Consequences, Scotland , 17/03/2004

Timid risk analyst Ruben Feffer (Ben Stiller) is jilted by his wife on their honeymoon, but runs into old school friend Polly Prince (Jennifer Aniston). She's the spontaneous, flighty type, the polar opposite of Ruben. Mis-matched romance ensues. While maintaining a few pratfalls and mild 'gross-out' moments, it's dragged well clear of the gutter by superb performances by the supporting cast. It's not stretching anyone involved by a long chalk, but Philip Seymour Hoffman's ex-child actor superstar and Bryan Brown's extreme sporting executive (Volcano luge? Strewth!) are little short of inspired. Aniston and Stiller do little to offend and raise the odd laugh and truthfully it's one of the more amiable comedies we've seen of late. Far from anyone involved's finest or most inspired ninety minutes, but a thoroughly decent effort nonetheless.

  20 out of 24 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 2 starsThis film serves no purpose.

Samuel Tyler from Reading , 26/07/2004

Instantly forgetable.

Never have I seen a film so by the numbers in my life. The story line is weak and the chemistry between the two leads even poorer. The different elements of this film have been done elsewhere and better. The likes of 2 Weeks Notice and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days show you how a modern romantic comedy can be funny.

I get the impression that Ben Stiller has to work. Therefore in between making decent films like Starksy, and Dodgeball he sits back and rakes in the cash from second rate films like this.

Its slightly enjoyable but will add nothing to your life. Its the kind of film you will swear you heve never seen but what you have actually forgotten.

  11 out of 18 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 2 starsForgettable

DrAndyP from West Sussex , 18/07/2004

There is nothing wrong with this film, it won't annoy you and you'll sit and watch it quite happily for 90 min. On the flip side, you won't remember it in a couple of days. It is a fairly bog standard, mismatched couple, rom com with Stiller and Aniston in likeable form as the leads. There are some laugh out loud moments as well as some brilliant supporting performances from the always excellent Philip Seymour-Hoffman and Brian Brown. Worth watching but don't expect to be blown away

  8 out of 8 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsCliches and stereotypes

A customer from London, England , 03/12/2004

Why is it that all romantic comedies seem to have a dance scene in it nowadays?(perhaps the influence of Bollywood) Ben Stiller goes totally wild trying to Salsa but doesn't impress (like Al Pacino in Scent of a woman)or elicit a laugh (like Cameron Diaz in Charlies Angels) from his solo. However Jennifer Aniston's dance with 'Javier' the gay cuban was really hot! I enjoyed JA from friends but never realised what great tits she has until this movie,which ensured gorgeous Debra Messing couldn't quite upstage her. Debra gave a great performance as Ben's newlywed bride who was unfaithful with a seductive french scuba instructor played by Hank Azaria. His attempt at french accents was pitiful - but probably in line with hollywood stereotypes. His strong performance as Phobe's inempt physist boyfriend left me unable to find him plausible as 'the scuba king of St.Barts'.

Despite the cliches and stereotypes it was still an entertaining film.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
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Rated - 2 starsThis film serves no purpose.

Samuel Tyler from Reading , 26/07/2004

Instantly forgetable.

Never have I seen a film so by the numbers in my life. The story line is weak and the chemistry between the two leads even poorer. The different elements of this film have been done elsewhere and better. The likes of 2 Weeks Notice and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days show you how a modern romantic comedy can be funny.

I get the impression that Ben Stiller has to work. Therefore in between making decent films like Starksy, and Dodgeball he sits back and rakes in the cash from second rate films like this.

Its slightly enjoyable but will add nothing to your life. Its the kind of film you will swear you heve never seen but what you have actually forgotten.

  11 out of 18 people found this review helpful
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