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Stuck on You (2003)

January 26, 2005

HBO Broadcast, Somerville, MA

*** / ****

There are standard dopey movies and then there are dopey movies that bring to the table a little more than your standard dick and fart jokes and telegraphed raunch shaped javelins. The Farrelly Brothers’ Stuck on You is the latter type of dopey movie: brilliant stupidity of the highest order. While it certainly contains plenty of groan inducing attempts at cheap slapstick and sight gags (and a mind boggling ending that still has me scratching my head), it also has vast amounts of thoughtful humour and an underlying sweetness that makes it rise above most other comedies. Most importantly, it is really, really fun to watch and will have you laughing out loud on numerous occasions.

The set-up for Stuck on You involves Siamese, err, conjoined twins Walt and Bob, played by Greg Kinnear and Matt Damon, respectively, and their struggle to discover their own niches while remaining inseparable. The brothers live and work on Martha’s Vineyard island in Massachusetts and do just about everything you and I might and more. The fact that they are physically joined by a nine-inch patch of flesh might be a hindrance to some, but for the Tenor brothers it is a call to arms that they gladly accept, that is, until Walt decides he wants to move to Hollywood and take a chance at becoming a big time actor. It is from this launching point that the movie barrels head first into the trials and tribulations of a fresh faced Kinnear working his way up the Hollywood ladder while his neurotic brother (Damon) is content to flip burgers and figure out how to tell the girl of his dreams that the double dates he takes her on with his brother aren’t about to end anytime soon.

Beyond the silly set-up and chuckle inducing execution, Stuck on You works well as an entertaining comedy because we care deeply about its characters. Greg Kinnear and Matt Damon are wonderful as brothers who have nothing in common save their proximity to one another. As actors, they are two of the most likeable guys in Hollywood and their chemistry in this film is nothing short of outstanding. Between their on-screen charm, charisma, and sheer likeability they turn a one note joke into a parable of brotherly love that is as fresh and honest as the most calculated melodrama. This is difficult stuff to pull off no matter the genre and The Farrelly Brothers work their magic with perfect precision and expert execution.

Besides the movie’s big heart, it also has some incredibly funny moments that are as intelligent as they are silly. Rather than spoil them, suffice it to say that Bob’s speech about his dream girl, Walt’s time spent working with Cher (yes, that Cher, here playing herself, and not very well I might add), and some of the typical sight gags you might expect are the film’s comedy highlights. Throw in Eva Mendes as the bubbleheaded hottie Hollywood neighbor and there really is something for just about everyone. But don’t just take my word for it. Give Stuck on You a chance. It may seem like a stupid concept that couldn’t possibly pan out but believe you me, this is one of the most pleasant comedy surprises you will see. I dare you not to smile.