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The Heartbreak Kid [2007]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The Heartbreak Kid reunites Ben Stiller with his There’s Something About Mary directorial team, The Farrelly Brothers. Between them, they’ve conjured a sporadically funny comedy, that may not repeat what they’d all achieved before, but is still worthy of a spin.

The premise follows Stiller as his character is effectively railroaded into marriage, only for him to discover on his honeymoon that his wife isn’t all he thought she was. Big debts, ropey music taste and, ahem, ‘bedroom demands’ soon open his eyes on their honeymoon. And when, on the same honeymoon, he meets Michelle Monaghan’s Miranda, The Heartbreak Kid migrates into a chaotic comedy, with a risqué edge.

It’s fair to say that The Heartbreak Kid lacks the level of gut-busting laughs, or the consistency, of There’s Something About Mary, with perhaps one too many contrivances required to keep it motoring. What’s more, the final act isn’t particularly satisfying, loosely tying up strands with little conviction.

Yet in spite of that, The Heartbreak Kid does muster its fair share of laughs, and few can match Ben Stiller in this kind of role. With energetic performances and some memorable moments married up to the gags, chances are you’ll happily forgive the film its weaker moments, and enjoy it for the sound Saturday night comedy it clearly is. --Jon Foster


Best watched after consuming an alcoholic beverage or two...
Review date: 2008-11-02 Rating: 6 out of 10

I recall seeing the original of this starring Charles Grodin. With a great script by the brilliant Neil Simon, it was witty, intelligent and infinitely more subtle than this Farrelly Brothers update. I say `update' and not `remake' because apart from the initial premise it bears no resemblance to the Grodin movie and features the usual gross-out comedy that is the Farrelly Brothers trademark.

Ben Stiller plays, as always, Ben Stiller... a likeable guy who finds circumstances going out of his control. Just as well he's good at what he does... Another plus point is the performance of Ben's real-life father Jerry, who plays his dad. More famous for his over the top performances in 'Seinfeld' as George Costanza's (Jason Alexander) pop Frank, he's his usual unhinged self here. And very funny he is too.

It also has a cameo at the end by a certain incredibly gorgeous resident of Wisteria Lane (guess who!) that is worth waiting for.

Like `There's Something About Mary' it features an incredibly annoying band (mariachi as opposed to Jonathan Richmond's) that pops up regularly throughout the story. The film also has a good-ish soundtrack, enlivened by some great Bowie tunes, and it's worth staying right to the very end to catch the rather filthy scene halfway through the end credits - another staple Farrelly trick.

It's nowhere near as good as `There's Something About Mary' but it is always watchable and it induces a few good belly laughs along the way. But be advised that it contains some choice language (and a bit of nudity) so it's not for kids. But it is just about recommendable (is there such a word?) as long as you're not prudish and have preferably sunk a few cans before and during its length (oo-er missus!)


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Reviews


OH NO THEY DIDDENT......
Review date: 2008-09-21 Rating: 2 out of 10

My sister and i watch films regularly- saturday evening i went and bought a new dvd the heartbreak kid it looked like a funny romance so my sister and i expected the odd snog but mostly expected to be in a hysterical fit of laughter but no..... half an hour into the film i had to turn it off. I myself was disgusted of the film and i regret letting my 15 year old sister watch it its not suitable for a 15 year old no matter what the box says not in a wussy way but three words were edged in my head "scarred for life" Discraceful. If you want a funny romantic get 50 first dates but this is not for teenage eyes.

Not the best comedy but still very funny
Review date: 2008-08-07 Rating: 6 out of 10

In `The Heartbreak Kid' Ben Stiller stars as Eddie, a 40 year old guy who is currently single and is in desperate need of a girlfriend. He then meets Lila, a beautiful, pleasant and nice woman who Eddie falls for straight away. Six weeks into the relationship, Lila announces that her job is moving her to Rotterdam but they do not move married people. Eddie doesn't want her to go so bites the bullet and asks her to marry him. On the honeymoon they head down to Mexico and Lila is not the girl that she seemed before. In fact, Eddie hates her personality so much that he can't bear to be in the same room as her. He then meets Miranda who is perfect and they begin to fall in love. But how does Eddie now get rid of Lila?

This is a romantic comedy of sorts but more in the style of Something About Mary rather than the standard chick flick, so is one that guys can enjoy too. The jokes are very funny in parts although many of them have been seen before so sometimes can be a little predictable. They are also not shy to pull out all the stops with rude and crude subject matter, hence the 18 certificate, which to be honest I felt was a little high.

Stiller seems to play the same character in any movie he is in but it is a character that works and is a hilarious as some of the other films he has been in such as Meet the Parents, Dodgeball, Zoolander and of course, Something About Mary. Both of the female leads are great as well, especially Mila Akerman who plays Lila who is not afraid to take the Michael out of herself at all.

Overall this isn't the best comedy in the world but is very funny and has some really memorable scenes and some great characters. Recommended for a night in when you want plenty of laughs. 3.5/5 stars.


the worst film Ben Stiller has starred in
Review date: 2008-06-28 Rating: 4 out of 10

The worst film Ben Stiller has starred in.There are some very funny moments but by and large the story and dialogue are poor.However there is some nice scenery to look at in the resort of Cabo in Mexico.For vintage Stiller buy Dodgeball,Along Came Polly,Meet The Parents,Keeping The Faith
(which is Stiller's best movie for mixing the serious with the comedic).

15???? I don't think so!!
Review date: 2008-06-27 Rating: 2 out of 10

This film is disgusting - the "sexual nature" of this film is bordering nasty porn - not the sort of thing I would want my 15 year old to see. I won't even mention the rest of it as unfortunately, I got to the second vile "sex" scene and we turned it off.
The wife was sexually abusive to her husband, if it was the other way around this would not have even got a classification. I'm really disappointed.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Rob Corddry
Jerry Stiller
Malin Akerman
Ben Stiller
Michelle Monaghan

Creators:
Rob Corddry (Primary Contributor)
Ben Stiller (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Paramount Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Entertainment
EAN: 5051188153632
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-02-04
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 111 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007

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