Best movie of this year hands down!

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Blistering performances.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

I can't believe some of the reviews I'm reading - so negative! I love this movie. I realize that to watch it now may leave the audience disappointed - but when it came out back in the 90's, this movie was fantastic. The script gave you just enough about the characters that you were able to draw more from their actions to see their vulnerability and insecurities. There are quite funny moments, sweet, sad and interesting. For me it was great to see these characters learn about themselves and what they wanted. I enjoyed this movie very much - and while it may not be Oscar-worthy or ground breaking, it remains one of my favorites.

A recommendation from Portland, Maine's movie oasis, Videoport! Videoport's Matthew and I may be the only two people in Portland who genuinely a). know who writer/director/star Eric Scheffer is and b). don't think he's weird and annoying. Well, you guys just haven't gotten to know him like we have. This 1996 romantic comedy was Schaeffer's shot at mainstream success and, while that didn't work out, it's remains a refreshingly-odd and affecting antidote to bland 'romantic comedies' like The Wedding Planner, The Wedding Date, My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding or anything with Kate Hudson in it. It's weird that this didn't do better, really, as Schaeffer was savvy (or lucky) enough to have brought in Sarah Jessica Parker and Ben Stiller (right before they really took off) as support; (it's also a bummer that neither of them have reciprocated now that they pull down ten million or so a picture). In this one, Schaeffer plays Joe, Scheffer's usual snaggly, slightly spazzy goof with a soulful side who lives with his best friend Lucy (Parker, getting to act softer and goofier than usual, herself), and who pines helplessly for his unbelievably-gorgeous neighbor, the leggy Jane (played by at-the-peak-of-her-strapping-loveliness Elle MacPherson). He's a painter, she's a therapist, they're both in 29 and sadly single and Jane reminds them of a long-ago promise to kill themselves in a 'death pact' if neither of them is in a real relationship by the time they're 30. Premise! So they both agree to throw caution to the wind for the last month before jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge: Joe will finally court Jane, while Lucy will go out with anyone who asks, leading her to reluctantly accept the off-the-wall advances of famous, fatuous art phenom Bwick Elias (a funny turn by a dreadlocked Stiller). Like I said, I like Schaeffer- he's a unique comic voice and a funny guy with a serious romantic streak, and Parker and Stiller were showing more colors back then before their public personas hardened into commercial product and, if the whole 'death pact' thing doesn't quite pay off, well, it's still an unique way to get things rolling towards the predictable, yet satisfying, conclusion. Great songs by the band Marry Me Jane. Look for a young Scarlett Johansen in a small role. Also, check out Schaeffer's other films Fall, Mind the Gap, Never Again, and Wirey Spindell (sadly, his excellent first comedy My Life's In Turnaround remains out of print), and see if you'll join Matt and me in the Portland chapter of the Eric Schaeffer fan club.

I don't know how to classify this movie. It is disgustingly bad. It is not funny, yet its supposed to be a comedy. The only part mildly entertaining is Ben Stiller's character, yet he is not developed at all. Everything else is just so serious. These two losers have it so bad. Oh, poor them. Please! Do jump off the Brooklyn Bridge.I did not know anything about this movie before watching it. Initially I thought Joe (Eric Schaeffer) was a homosexual. After all, he had very feminine characteristics. Additionally, he wore a dress in parts of the movie. And also, there is his hair (you know what I'm talking about). And the makeup, etc... etc... I'll admit that I couldn't stand watching the last 20 minutes, but I do know how it ends. Anyway, it would have turned out better if Joe came out of the closet.This is one of the worst movies I've ever seen. It should get a rating of 1. Don't watch this movie!

Spoilers herein.I sought this film because I was impressed with `One Night at McCools.' That project had flaws, mostly related to the poor acting and production values. but I thought the vision behind it was clever, and in line with some admirable projects. But the vision behind this project is pretty cookiecutter. Its a quite serious attempt at the primary formula for a date movie, made worse for missing the mark because it came whole form one guy's mind.But it had some clever elements: Ben Stiller as a painter who literally throws himself into his work, clearly the alterego of Schaeffer. That's fun if you know Stiller. Its something like his `Mystery Men' character. Another element is the Beatles reference. Lots of writers my age are using them, from `Vanilla Sky' to `I Am Sam.' Here, the target is the famous `Lucy in the Sky,' which is great fun if you know what's behind the song. Otherwise, it is a long dreary march to the end.The notion of stealing a narrative from spying (as Joe does to the Elle character) has some promise too. Squandered, alas.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 4: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.