Ben Stiller plays a single guy looking for love in Farrelly Brothers' comedy The Heartbreak Kid. Eddie thinks he's found Miss Right in Lila (Malin Akerman), but the honeymoon reveals her to be quite the opposite. Complicating matters is pretty holiday maker Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), who might just be The One. The Heartbreak Kid offers up a handful of sharp laughs as Eddie tries to trade in old for new, but not enough to distract from his unsympathetic character.
Eddie is a hapless guy who rushes into marriage to prevent his girlfriend from moving away to Rotterdam ("why Germany?" he asks). Lila seems perfect: beautiful, fun-loving, sexy鈥 until they arrive in Mexico. There, she turns into a monster 鈥 well, you'd think so given Eddie's reaction. Fact is, she's just a bit of a ladette: she likes a drink, she shuns sunscreen, she used to have a drug problem, she enjoys rough sex. Sporty, healthy Eddie is horrified, and begins a friendship with likeminded Miranda while his new wife is conveniently nursing her sunburn in their suite.
"MICHELLE MONAGHAN IS CHARMING AS MIRANDA"
Michelle Monaghan is charming as Miranda, lending credibility to the lovematch and giving the film an emotional backbone. And Stiller's fittingly amusing as he flits between the two women, attempting to own up to the truth but constantly being interrupted. Despite his half-hearted efforts to come clean, Eddie isn't a likeable chap 鈥 he's rushed into marriage, and then demonises his wife for being imperfect. But the sunny setting, attractive leads and reasonably involving story help make The Heartbreak Kid a watchable frippery.
The Heartbreak Kid is out in the UK on 5th October 2007.