neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Along Came Polly
	John Hamburg Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Debra Messing, Hank Azaria, Alec Baldwin, Bryan Brown 2004		Bankable Ben Stiller and appealing Jennifer Aniston did themselves no favors by co-starring in the mediocre, instantly forgettable, opposites-attract romantic comedy "Along Came Polly." Even incisive character actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, known for elevating almost any material he's given, struggles here. Beginning like a rehash of "The Heartbreak Kid," "Along Came Polly" joins uptight risk-management expert Reuben (Stiller) on his Caribbean honeymoon, where his perfect bride (Debra Messing) cheats on him with a sleazy, language-mangling French scuba instructor (Hank Azaria, in the movie's only truly funny turn). Embittered, Reuben returns home to New York City. His best friend (Hoffman), a slovenly ex-teen movie star, invites him to a gallery opening. There, Reuben encounters free-spirited waitress Polly (Aniston), a former junior-high classmate. Proving her madcap credentials, Polly has a nearsighted pet ferret that scares skittish Reuben, and she loves spicy food, which — toilet humor alert — upsets Reuben's sensitive bowels. This was written and directed in derivative fashion by John Hamburg, who wrote two of the better Stiller comedies, "Meet the Parents" and "Zoolander." And then along came "Polly" to sully his reputation. With Alec Baldwin and Bryan Brown in brief, unflattering appearances.