`JUST THE TICKET' MORE CLOYING THAN CUTE.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Daily News Film Critic

In the sluggish new romance ``Just the Ticket,'' level-headed Linda (Andie MacDowell) tries to explain why she can't stay away from her no-account boyfriend, a noble ticket scalper named Gary (Andy Garcia).

``It's those puppy-dog eyes!'' Linda sweetly murmurs. ``Those puppy-dog eyes.''

``Just the Ticket'' is a puppy-dog-eyes kind of movie. As such, it's hard to resist at times. It might even be kind of sweet if it didn't try so hard. But what writer-director Richard Wenk really needed here was a swat on the nose with a rolled-up newspaper. Because too often, he crosses the line between cute and cloying, resulting in a movie that's more heartburn than heartwarming.

Gary is a likable, salt-of-the-earth ticket scalper - in other words the kind of guy who exists only in the movies. When the pope comes to Yankee Stadium to deliver a state-of-the-world address, Gary sees the chance of a lifetime. He hopes to lay his hands on as many tickets as he can find and then turn around and sell them for as much money as the faithful will fork out. Then, maybe Linda will regard him as something more than a lovable schmoe.

Linda, though, already has seemed to have moved on. She has a dependable (read: boring) boyfriend and is hoping to turn her culinary training into a trip to the Cordon Bleu in Paris. But then, Gary shows up, and she looks into those puppy dog eyes and (cue romantic soundtrack) her resolve begins to melt.

There are a lot of things wrong with ``Just the Ticket,'' starting with the character of Gary himself. When you think of ticket scalpers, several thoughts come to mind, but none of them are sympathetic or even remotely likable. Most of them, in fact, can't be printed in a family newspaper.

Add to this the fact that Gary dreams of sticking it to devoted people who simply want to see a revered religious leader, and you have a guy, when you look beyond those dewy eyes, who is pretty much scum of the earth.

But maybe you can get beyond that because it's Andy Garcia acting here and he's so darn nice. Unfortunately, writer-director Richard Wenk doesn't trust his actors enough to let them do the heavy work. Thus, you have countless shots of a cute little dog preciously reacting to the action. (Even then, the dog by itself isn't adorable enough. Wenk has to add one of those veterinary cone collars for maximum cuteness.) Kisses are filmed in slow-motion. Garcia wears a funny hat.

Add to this some clumsy transitions, a plot that takes much too long to resolve and a poorly sketched female lead and you have a movie that's hard to like even when it's practically forcing you to do so. (Those eyes!) The final straw comes in the home stretch when Gary employs a gambit straight out of ``Sister Act'' to elude police and fulfill his dream of gouging New York's Catholics. Bad sign: You root for the cops.

THE FACTS

The film: ``Just the Ticket'' (R; language).

The stars: Andy Garcia, Andie MacDowell.

Behind the scenes: Written and directed by Richard Wenk. Released by United Artists.

Running time: One hour, 55 minutes.

Playing: Citywide.

Our rating: Two stars.