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"The Heartbreak Kid"
Rated: R
Starring: Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Malin Akerman
Directed by Directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly
Runtime: 115 min.

It's hard to believe nine short years ago, the Farrelly brothers made a gross-out comedy classic with "There's Something About Mary."

It's even harder to believe that when looking at their current films, which are almost all mediocre or terrible.

That streak continues with "The Heartbreak Kid," a sub-par romantic comedy that is neither terribly romantic nor terribly comedic. It is yet another vehicle where Ben Stiller mugs shamelessly to cover up for the shortcomings of the script.

Based on a screenplay by Neil Simon, the film focuses on Eddie (Stiller), a single man who has just hit 40 and is being chided to find a bride. Along comes Lila (Malin Akerman), a seemingly wonderful gal, and after six short weeks they get married and head to their honeymoon.

It is here that Lila reveals her inner psycho, and Eddie realizes the awful mistake he has made, especially when he meets Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), a woman who Eddie immediately realizes is the woman he is destined for.

The audience then watches as Eddie tries to break it off with Lila to get with Miranda. The audience realizes not only is there little chemistry between Stiller and either of his leading ladies, but that two out of the three leads are completely unlikable characters.

Lila is an annoying crazy person, to be sure, but as Eddie falls for Miranda, he becomes a distant and cruel partner, and the audience feels sorry for Lila. Stiller and Akerman create characters whom no one can root for. So we turn to Miranda, a nice girl played by Monaghan to such perfection that it's a shame she's not a bigger star than she is. Her character spends too much time in the background, waiting for the plot to catch up with her.

It took five people to write this film, including the Farrellys, and it's difficult to see why when the romance story is cobbled together from so many generic plot elements.

Misunderstandings and idiot characters populate the film, causing more groans than chuckles or sighs from the viewers.

Also, too much of the comedy in the film feels dated and flat. Jokes about bodily functions have come a long way since "Mary," and watching a woman pee on someone's jellyfish sting just doesn't pack the comedic punch it used to.

Not even a last minute cameo by a fairly big celebrity can liven up the proceedings - the joke is one note, and comes at a time when the characters are beyond such foolishness.

The film's funniest moments come from its supporting cast, including Rob Corddry, largely wasted as Eddie's married friend, and, shockingly, Carlos Mencia, whose hotel manager is an amusing take on south of the border hospitality.

The film also wears out its welcome: At 115 minutes, it is way too long and spends too much time on the beach making the same point over and over about how Eddie wants Miranda.

The fact that "The Heartbreak Kid" assembles so many funny people and creates such a mediocre film experience is, quite frankly, astonishing. This is a plodding and unoriginal film that doesn't have enough laughs to be worth seeing, and its romantic story is as predictable as a Disney film.

Hopefully one day the Farrellys will return to the greatness of their earlier work.

Wes Lawson can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 275 or wlawson@siude.com.

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