by Thomas Ferguson

Raunchy comedies are definitely an art form. Not every filmmaker can pull it off. Many have tried over the years, but no movie has achieved the success of late 90’s classics There’s Something About Mary and American Pie. If lucky, you get one or two a year that come close. Fortunately, there have been a number of slam dunks this year including; Death at a Funeral, Knocked Up, and Superbad. The latest is hitting theaters this weekend and it comes from the people responsible for Mary.

Bobby and Peter Farrelly are at it again in the new comedy The Heartbreak Kid. The story centers around a guy who has yet to find the right woman. Eddie Cantrow (Ben Stiller) has seen women come in and out of his life. The latest is getting married to another man and this makes Eddie evaluate what he’s doing wrong. A chance meeting on the streets of San Francisco changes his life. He meets Lila (Malin Akerman), a beautiful and sweet girl that sweeps Eddie off his feet.

They begin dating and quickly Eddie believes this could be the one, but he still has his reservations. Egged on by his whipped best friend Mac (Rob Corddry)and perverted father Doc (Ben’s real life father Jerry), he decides to take the plunge.

Eddie and Lila are wed and have the most beautiful wedding, but shortly thereafter, things turn ugly. Lila turns into a different person on their way to Mexico for the honeymoon. She becomes annoying and abusive (mostly, in bed). She turns into the bride from hell and Eddie doesn’t know what to do. To get away from her, Eddie goes to the bar and meets Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), a southern belle that charms Eddie and makes his bell chime in more ways than one. They become instant friends and he begins to fall in love with her. Now, he has to lie and scheme his way out of Lila’s bed and into Miranda’s heart, but Miranda’s brother knows something isn’t right with Eddie and vows to get to the bottom of things.

I have been raving about this movie for weeks, since I saw a screening last month at Paramount Studios. Now that it has finally being released, I’m gonna let you all in on the secret. This movie is hysterical! I can’t say enough about it. It starts off somewhat tame, but as soon as Stiller’s character hits the road with his bride, all bets are off. The Lila character is over the top. She becomes a nightmare for Eddie, but comedy gold for the audience. I see a star in the making with Akerman who absolutely steals every scene she is in.

There are so many funny secondary characters like Corddry and Jerry Stiller’s characters. These two guys have the best one-liners. There was also a bit role played by funnyman Carlos Mencia. Even a cameo by sexy Eva Longoria.

I went in such a melancholy mood, but came out wiping my tears. A total crowd pleasing movie.