The Whole Nine Yards
3.5/4
Starring: Matthew Perry, Bruce Willis, Amanda Peet, Natasha Henstridge, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kevin Pollack, Rosanna Arquette
Rated R for Some Sexuality, Nudity and Violence
"The Whole Nine Yards" is a great Friday night movie. It's well-acted, unpredictable, clever, and above all, very funny. A mix of film noir and screwball comedy, this underrated gem is distressingly overlooked, and that's a shame since these days screenwriting for comedy ends at the pitch stage (thank you, Seth Rogen).
Dr. Nicholas Oseransky, or "Oz," as he is known, is not having his share of the American dream (or Canadian, since he lives in Canada). He married Sophie (Arquette), the daughter of his late business partner, only to have her end up being a total bitch. And since her father stuck them with a load of bad debt, she won't divorce him until it's paid off. His fortune changes when his new neighbor, Jimmy Jones, moves in. When the ever-polite Oz goes over to welcome him to the neighborhood, it only takes him a few moments that Jimmy is in fact Jimmy "The Tulip" Tudeski (Willis), a contract killer for the infamous Gogolak gang.
Since this is in large part film noir, I'm not going to go further to avoid spoiling any of the surprises, of which there are a few. Director Jonathan Lynn delights in taking the turns of the plot and tweaking them for laughs. Much of what happens, we don't expect, and Lynn uses that for big laughs. When you're kept in suspense only to have the answer be a joke, that laugh is going to be harder than it would otherwise be.
The film is perfectly cast, and one of the great things about the screenplay is that it gives every actor a moment to shine. Matthew Perry is the ideal Oz; a doormat who is thrust into a dangerous situation he wants no part in. Perry is in top panic attack form, demonstrating great comic timing and an aptitude for physical comedy. Some of the film's biggest laughs are his reactions to how nonchalant everyone around him is when the subject is killing people. For the most part, Bruce Willis's acting roles don't require him to do more than have screen presence, but this is one of his best performances (he certainly seems to be enjoying himself). He can alternate between being the friendly neighbor and a menacing killer in a flash, and that lends the character an element of unpredictability. And when you're dealing with a notorious hit man that has killed 17 people and refused Witness Protection, that's a big if. Natasha Henstridge isn't as impressive, but she's adequate. Michael Clarke Duncan, Kevin Pollack and Rosanna Arquette turn in terrific performances.
As good as the cast is (and they're excellent), and as clever and fun as the story is (and it's both), the film is entirely stolen by Amanda Peet. Peet plays Jill St. Claire, Oz's ditzy dental assistant. Although the role wasn't written for her (she was an unknown at the time), she is the only possible choice. With her great big smile and teasing eyes, you know that every time she appears on screen she's going to do something funny. And she does. There is plenty to like about this movie, but the film's undisputed highlights are whenever she's on screen.
Probably the best way to describe "The Whole Nine Yards" is The Coen Brothers lite. It's got the same warped sense of humor and mixes comedy and suspense in a similar way (think "Fargo"), but it's much more accessible. Unfortunately, Lynn lacks their talent and cinematographer David Franco is definitely no Roger Deakins. That being said, this is one hell of a great comedy.
Starring: Matthew Perry, Bruce Willis, Amanda Peet, Natasha Henstridge, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kevin Pollack, Rosanna Arquette
Rated R for Some Sexuality, Nudity and Violence
"The Whole Nine Yards" is a great Friday night movie. It's well-acted, unpredictable, clever, and above all, very funny. A mix of film noir and screwball comedy, this underrated gem is distressingly overlooked, and that's a shame since these days screenwriting for comedy ends at the pitch stage (thank you, Seth Rogen).
Dr. Nicholas Oseransky, or "Oz," as he is known, is not having his share of the American dream (or Canadian, since he lives in Canada). He married Sophie (Arquette), the daughter of his late business partner, only to have her end up being a total bitch. And since her father stuck them with a load of bad debt, she won't divorce him until it's paid off. His fortune changes when his new neighbor, Jimmy Jones, moves in. When the ever-polite Oz goes over to welcome him to the neighborhood, it only takes him a few moments that Jimmy is in fact Jimmy "The Tulip" Tudeski (Willis), a contract killer for the infamous Gogolak gang.
Since this is in large part film noir, I'm not going to go further to avoid spoiling any of the surprises, of which there are a few. Director Jonathan Lynn delights in taking the turns of the plot and tweaking them for laughs. Much of what happens, we don't expect, and Lynn uses that for big laughs. When you're kept in suspense only to have the answer be a joke, that laugh is going to be harder than it would otherwise be.
The film is perfectly cast, and one of the great things about the screenplay is that it gives every actor a moment to shine. Matthew Perry is the ideal Oz; a doormat who is thrust into a dangerous situation he wants no part in. Perry is in top panic attack form, demonstrating great comic timing and an aptitude for physical comedy. Some of the film's biggest laughs are his reactions to how nonchalant everyone around him is when the subject is killing people. For the most part, Bruce Willis's acting roles don't require him to do more than have screen presence, but this is one of his best performances (he certainly seems to be enjoying himself). He can alternate between being the friendly neighbor and a menacing killer in a flash, and that lends the character an element of unpredictability. And when you're dealing with a notorious hit man that has killed 17 people and refused Witness Protection, that's a big if. Natasha Henstridge isn't as impressive, but she's adequate. Michael Clarke Duncan, Kevin Pollack and Rosanna Arquette turn in terrific performances.
As good as the cast is (and they're excellent), and as clever and fun as the story is (and it's both), the film is entirely stolen by Amanda Peet. Peet plays Jill St. Claire, Oz's ditzy dental assistant. Although the role wasn't written for her (she was an unknown at the time), she is the only possible choice. With her great big smile and teasing eyes, you know that every time she appears on screen she's going to do something funny. And she does. There is plenty to like about this movie, but the film's undisputed highlights are whenever she's on screen.
Probably the best way to describe "The Whole Nine Yards" is The Coen Brothers lite. It's got the same warped sense of humor and mixes comedy and suspense in a similar way (think "Fargo"), but it's much more accessible. Unfortunately, Lynn lacks their talent and cinematographer David Franco is definitely no Roger Deakins. That being said, this is one hell of a great comedy.
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