'STUCK' COULD USE A BIT MORE GLUE.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic A COUPLE of journalists - apparently desperate for a novel angle - are proposing that the Farrelly brothers' latest movie about the world's most upbeat conjoined twins conjoined twins or Siamese twins Identical twins (see multiple birth) whose embryos did not separate completely. Conjoined twins are physically joined (typically along the trunk or at the front, side, or back of the head) and often share some organs. , ``Stuck on You,'' is a bold venture
attentiveness, heed, regard . The Farrellys' most successful comedies - be they ``There's Something About Mary,'' ``Shallow Hal'' and even ``Dumb and Dumber'' - have always harbored a soft spot for the underdog and championed the outcast. To these guys, to be called a ``freak'' is a title of honor An honorary title or title of honor is a title bestowed upon individuals or organizations as an award in recognition of their merits. Sometimes the title bears the same or nearly the same name as a title of authority, but the person bestowed does not have to carry any . No, what's different about ``Stuck on You'' is that the aforementioned soft spot has spread and unfortunately overtaken the brothers' comic sensibilities. The problem with the Farrellys' latest comedy isn't that it's tasteless. It simply isn't funny enough. And for true believers "True Believers" is the fourth episode of the first season of the CBS television series The Unit. The episode aired on March 28, 2006. Summary The team is sent to Los Angeles to protect Mexico's drug minister from an assassination threat. , that's plenty offensive. ``Stuck on You'' isn't a total wash. Playing the twins, Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear commit themselves totally to the idea of being joined at the hip. Kinnear plays Walt, the outgoing twin, who persuades his brother, Bob, to move to Hollywood so he can pursue his dream of becoming a big-time actor. Bob, the shy one, reluctantly agrees, even though every time Walt gets on the stage (such as during a one-man show about Truman Capote), Bob suffers an anxiety attack. The Farrellys get a fair amount of mileage out of the obvious challenges Walt faces in realizing his ambitions. Cher is on hand, nicely spoofing (at least, I think it's a spoof) her diva image, and an uncredited un·cred·it·ed adj. 1. Not having been credited, as on a ledger: an uncredited deposit. 2. Not having been accorded due recognition: an uncredited discovery. Meryl Streep shows up in a couple of scenes, including one that's almost worth the price of admission. (Note to the aforementioned journalists: It's not surprising to see Streep in a Farrelly brothers movie. Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow beat her to the punch two years ago with ``Shallow Hal.'' Again: Pay attention.) And you have to love the movie's up-with-people attitude. You just wish that the Farrellys could have come up with at least a couple of more twists on what is essentially a one-joke premise. A subplot sub·plot n. 1. A plot subordinate to the main plot of a literary work or film. Also called counterplot, underplot. 2. A subdivision of a plot of land, especially a plot used for experimental purposes. about Bob meeting a woman (Wen Yann Shih) who, after three years of correspondence, doesn't know about his condition, falls flat and takes up too much time. In fact, the movie itself, at 118 minutes, is much too flabby flab·by adj. flab·bi·er, flab·bi·est 1. Lacking firmness; flaccid: getting flabby around the waist. See Synonyms at limp. 2. - a continual problem with these guys - and could stand to lose at least a quarter of an hour. Too many jokes are run into the ground. The Farrellys' bio mentions a couple of upcoming projects: producing a comedy about a couple of con men trying to fix the Special Olympics, and making a feature about the Three Stooges. Dicey propositions, both. Here's hoping next time they err on the side of imprudence im·pru·dence n. 1. The quality or condition of being unwise or indiscreet. 2. An unwise or indiscreet act. Noun 1. . Glenn Whipp, (818) 713-3672 glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com STUCK ON YOU - Two and one half stars (PG-13: crude and sexual humor and language) Starring: Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Cher. Directors: Peter and Bobby Farrelly. Running time: 1 hr. 58 min. Playing: In wide release. In a nutshell: The Farrelly brothers' latest about the world's most upbeat conjoined twins is a little too up-with-people for its own good. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Matt Damon (always on the left - they're conjoined twins, you know) and Greg Kinnear play brothers with a very close relationship in ``Stuck on You.'' |
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