I say to myself that I’m not massive fan of Ben Stiller, except that I seem to own copies of Along Came Polly and While We’re Young, and I have a soft spot for Meet the Fockers. So, if I’m not a fan then why I am writing about Along Came Polly?
This is a really funny simple little film, and it features a mega supporting cast. The late Philip Seymour Hoffman is fab, Alec Baldwin is excellent. Jennifer Aniston as Polly is pretty good too. Look out for a hilarious cameo from Hank Azaria and you’ve got a little treat of film.
The script, written by director John Hamburg is a perfect Hollywood soufflé, and of course everyone ends up fine in the end, despite the best efforts of Bryan Brown’s Leland Van Lew.
Debra Messing is very entertaining and Bob Dishy almost steals the show as Stiller’s Dad. The film moves at a great pace and has some really funny set pieces, and Hoffman’s subplot about his failed acting career is especially hilarious.
As for Zoolander – I didn’t even crack a smile.
So, 8 films to go…
Matthew Cooper has written for most of the UK soaps, including writing episodes of Emmerdale, Eastenders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs. Matthew was winner of the Lloyds Bank Channel Four Film Challenge, the Oscar Moore Screenplay Prize and has been BAFTA shortlisted and Royal TV Society nominated. He’s been a script consultant and script writer for hire for over 20 years. You can find some of his broadcast credits on the IMDb.