Along Came Polly DVD Review:

Rueben (Stiller) never did anything that would be even slightly unsafe. This is because he knows every possible outcome for what could happen, been New York’s best insurance risk assessor. His whole life is planned out to the letter and his marriage to Liz (Messing) is going to be perfect. That is until on their honeymoon Liz falls for Scuba instructor Claude (Azaria) and decides to stay in St. Barts. Returning home rejected, his best friend Sandy (Hoffman) takes a party to cheer him up but just as he is about to leave he runs into Polly (Aniston) who he used to go to school with. Taking the first risk of his life, he asks her out but will he be able to cope with her free spirited ways?

Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston might not look like the ideal couple but by the end of this movie you will be hoping they get together.

Director John Hamberg, the writer of Zoolander and Meet the Parents brings us a romantic comedy with a slight hint of gross out humour thrown in for good measure. Gathering together a great cast and giving the supporting actors the chance to shine, ‘Along came Polly’ is one of those movies that will keep a smile on your face throughout.

This is a role that Ben Stiller excels in and is well accustomed to playing. He is perfect for the neurotic, paranoid Rueben, proving again that he has a real talent for verbal and physical comedy when he is given the right script. Jennifer Aniston starts to move away from her ‘Friends’ persona with a character that is far removed from Rachel as she could ever be. The role doesn’t really play to her comedic talents as mush as it should however, as in most scenes she is just used as eye-candy (but what eye-candy she is). There is a certain amount of chemistry between the two but it is hard to imagine their characters getting together in the real world, even if they do say that opposites attract.

The supporting cast are excellent however. Phillip Seymour Hoffman proves again what a fine actor he is by turning his considerable talent to comedy. Playing former teen star Sandy Lyle, he grabs you attention every time is graces the screen by producing some genuine laugh out loud moments. Just wait until you hear the reason why he has to leave the party, hysterical. Another scene stealing performance comes from Alec Baldwin was Rueben’s obnoxious boss, Stan Indursky who likes to talk to his employees where ever and when ever he like, even in the men’s toilets. Hank Azaria proves again what a great comedian he is as scuba lothario Claude. The man has a gift for voices and anyone who watches ‘The Simpson’s’ will already know this. Debra Messing is also good as Rueben not so faithful wife but she doesn’t get enough screen time to showcase her talent as anyone who has seen “Will & Grace” will testify to. It is also good to see Bryan Brown back in a main stream, Hollywood movie.

While not breaking any new ground in the originality stakes, ‘Along came Polly’ is a fun rom-com that provides a lot of laughs in its relatively short 90 minutes.

Star Rating = * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is very good. The image is sharp throughout with bright colours that bring New York and especially St. Barts to life. The sound it also good with clear dialogue from the centre speaker and the rest explode with sound during the club scenes.

BONUS FEATURES

Feature Commentary with writer/director John Hamburg

This is a good commentary track from a writer/director who talks passionately about his movie and his stars. He discusses each of the characters when they make their first appearance on screen, offering his original vision of the role and what each actor brought to it. For example he reveals that Hank Azaria’s Claude scenes were the last part of the movie to be filmed and Hank spent three months in the gym to tone up this body. He talks about how he pushed for improvisation from the actors, especially Ben and Jennifer and that he is proud of the toilet humour in the movie. The director also tells you about how he reshot the opening sequence (which can be viewed on the DVD) and how he added on the St. Barts ending during filming.

Original Opening with optional commentary from writer/director John Hamburg (1.34 mins)

The film didn’t start with the wedding originally but introduced Reuben at his job and showed that the character was an insurance risk assessor. John Hamburg explains why the scene was cut and reshot.

Rodolfo goes to Hollywood (4.41 mins)

Jim Moret for Along Came Polly TV interviews the real star of the movie, Rodolfo the ferret. We follow his preparations for the LA premiere of the movie as we delve into the superstar lifestyle of the rich and famous.

Deleted Scenes with optional commentary from writer/director John Hamburg (6.07 mins)

Seven removed scenes entitled ‘The Groom’s room’, ‘Reuben and Lisa Dance’, ‘Lisa’s Rap’, ‘Sandy plays the bagpipes’, ‘Full length Elevator’, ‘Indian Restaurant parking lot’ and ‘Stan at the Elevator’. Writer/director John Hamburg explains why each on was deleted from the final cut.

Outtakes (4.34 mins)

Your chance to watch Ben Stiller blow his lines in scenes with all of his fellow co-stars. By the end you will feel really sorry for Hank Azaria.

Making of Along Came Polly (10.28 mins)

Writer/Director John Hamburg, producers Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher are joined by stars Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Bryan Brown and Hank Azaria as the take you behind the scenes of the making of Along Came Polly. The featurette looks at each of the stars of the film and discusses their characters and what they brought to the movie.

Theatrical Trailer (2.28 mins)

You chance to watch the promotional trailer for the movie.

OVERALL
A funny romantic comedy is backed up by some good extras as it debuts on DVD. Including a commentary track on the deleted scenes and alternative opening gives you an understanding of why the scenes where cut or changed (this is a must for all deleted scenes) and John Hamburg’s feature commentary is good, adding to the value of the disc. The film is presented really well and the extras only add to what is a nicely packaged DVD that will please fans and make it a good rental for anyone else.

DVD Star Rating = * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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