“The Heartbreak Kid” sadly low on laughs

This new comedy from the Farrelly Brothers (“Fever Pitch”) is not the best fit for a usually likeable Ben Stiller, as he must lie and cheat throughout most of the movie for his own selfish ends. A re-make of a film from 1972 which starred Charles Grodin (“Beethoven”), the main character needs to balance being somewhat likeable and doing the most thoughtless and heartless things. Stiller can be fiendishly over the top as he was in “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” or be the likeable loser in “There’s Something About Mary”, but trying to find a middle ground just doesn’t work for him here.

Stiller is Eddie Cantrow, a 40 year old bachelor, who’s never been able to seriously commit to anyone in a relationship. Feeling the pressure from his friends and father - amusingly Stiller’s real-life dad Jerry - Eddie falls hard for a lady he meets in dubious circumstances. After only dating a short time and with the prospect of losing Lila to a job overseas, he pops the question and gets married. On their honeymoon, Eddie learns Lila is not all she appeared to be and with an unintentionally roving eye, meets Miranda while she is on a vacation with her family.

The film is harmless enough on its surface but sadly low on laughs. Some of the Farrelly brothers trademark dirty humor pokes in around the edges of the story, but it makes little comical impact on the viewer. The supporting cast is actually more funny in the context of “The Heartbreak Kid” than Stiller is. While some of the arguments between Eddie and his new wife, along with Eddie’s later attempts to break back into the U.S., are humorous they are not the inspired comedy Stiller or the Farrelly brothers are known for in their better films. The beginning of the film is far more entertaining than the convoluted ending - perhaps because we actually care about Eddie’s welfare before he begins jerking the audience - and his insignificant others - around.

Rated R for strong sexual content, crude humor and language.