This is one of those films that just makes me smile.  I know that it could have been better, but then again, I don't really see how (I mean, this film is just splendidly comical as well as dramatically intense).  I've always been a big fan of Bruce Willis, and even though he is better known for his action work, I have always considered him a stellar comedic performer, and here he gets to bare his chops front and center, stealing every scene with his sardonic portrayal of Jimmy `The Tulip' Tudeski.

LOVES IT!

The film revolves around two very different men.  You have the confident and very dangerous Jimmy, who happens to move in next to the very frazzled and easily used Nicolas (or `Oz' as he is referred).  Oz is a dentist who is being drained dry by his materialistic (and self centered) wife and her mother.  When he is forced into a situation that could prove life threatening, Oz finds that before long he's knee deep in with the mob and this very different man, Jimmy, becomes his life support.

The film's plot has the essential twists, but nothing so overblown or over complicated that it comes off as preposterous or laughable (well, it's laughable, but those laughs are intentional).  The dialog is witty and the gags are well placed (not something I can say for that lazy sequel) but it is the performances that really elevate this film for me, and make it one I will watch again and again and again.

First we have the two leads; Matthew Perry and Bruce Willis.  I like Perry, but I've always considered him the weaker of the `Friends' alumni.  This is probably his best performance outside of the TV crowd, and he really stays toe-to-toe with the rest of the ensemble; using his quirky aesthetic to his advantage.  Bruce Willis is just terrific here.  He totally gets the character (cake walk for him, I know) but he adds this added layer of comic genius to his performance.  He went to pieces in the sequel (not completely, but it was a letdown compared to this) but his take here is nothing short of genius.  The supporting cast is also top notch.  Rosanna Arquette is hilariously trashy, Amanda Peet is stunning and provocative and endearing and charming and just...WOW.  Michael Clarke Duncan is funny in all the right ways (and really needs better work) and Natasha Henstridge handles her characters dramatic edge (the most serious performance in the bunch) with that needed sharpness to keep her in range of the genre.

As an ensemble piece, this is one of the best of the year.

The film has its detractors (not from me, but from others) but I don't think anyone can hate this movie.  It really nails nearly everything it is going for, and it is a whole lot of fun.  It's rare that a film can combine that `fun' element with all the other elements that add up to a `great' movie.  A lot of great movies lack the fun, or visa-versa.  This is one of those films that is both.

YAY!
This is one of those films that just makes me smile. I know that it could have been better, but then again, I don't really see how (I mean, this film is just splendidly comical as well as dramatically intense). I've always been a big fan of Bruce Willis, and even though he is better known for his action work, I have always considered him a stellar comedic performer, and here he gets to bare his chops front and center, stealing every scene with his sardonic portrayal of Jimmy `The Tulip' Tudeski. LOVES IT! The film revolves around two very different men. You have the confident and very dangerous Jimmy, who happens to move in next to the very frazzled and easily used Nicolas (or `Oz' as he is referred). Oz is a dentist who is being drained dry by his materialistic (and self centered) wife and her mother. When he is forced into a situation that could prove life threatening, Oz finds that before long he's knee deep in with the mob and this very different man, Jimmy, becomes his life support. The film's plot has the essential twists, but nothing so overblown or over complicated that it comes off as preposterous or laughable (well, it's laughable, but those laughs are intentional). The dialog is witty and the gags are well placed (not something I can say for that lazy sequel) but it is the performances that really elevate this film for me, and make it one I will watch again and again and again. First we have the two leads; Matthew Perry and Bruce Willis. I like Perry, but I've always considered him the weaker of the `Friends' alumni. This is probably his best performance outside of the TV crowd, and he really stays toe-to-toe with the rest of the ensemble; using his quirky aesthetic to his advantage. Bruce Willis is just terrific here. He totally gets the character (cake walk for him, I know) but he adds this added layer of comic genius to his performance. He went to pieces in the sequel (not completely, but it was a letdown compared to this) but his take here is nothing short of genius. The supporting cast is also top notch. Rosanna Arquette is hilariously trashy, Amanda Peet is stunning and provocative and endearing and charming and just... WOW. Michael Clarke Duncan is funny in all the right ways (and really needs better work) and Natasha Henstridge handles her characters dramatic edge (the most serious performance in the bunch) with that needed sharpness to keep her in range of the genre. As an ensemble piece, this is one of the best of the year. The film has its detractors (not from me, but from others) but I don't think anyone can hate this movie. It really nails nearly everything it is going for, and it is a whole lot of fun. It's rare that a film can combine that `fun' element with all the other elements that add up to a `great' movie. A lot of great movies lack the fun, or visa-versa. This is one of those films that is both. YAY!