Written by Hollowman - February 18th, 2005
Stuck on You (2003)
Starring: Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Eva Mendes, Cher, Michael Callan
Director: Peter and Bobby Farrelly
Rated: PG-13
Rating: * * * 1/2 (3 and a half)
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Latest Farrelly Bros. movie hits it big with heart, rather than gross out. “I don’t want to end up like one of those actors who makes an ass out of themselves”. This is a line that Walter says to his conjoined twin Bo while he sits on a bed, wearing an oversized teddy bear costume. This is from the latest Farrelly Brother’s movie, “Stuck on You”. The movie’s hidden subplot is just that line, actors who have gone ahead and made a few wrong turns in their career and taking an opportunity to poke fun at themselves. It’s this clever part and so much more that makes stuck on you the comic duo film makers deliver their most lovable and still non PC movie yet.
Greg Kinnear is Walter and Matt Damon is Bo, two successful twins who live in a small town on the east coast (as do all Farralley Bros. characters) and run the local burger joint. Their condition (which they see as a blessing) is used to so much to their advantage, that they can deliver a meal well under three minutes, or it’s free. They are also able to do so many other things with their conjoined bodies; they’re an non-penetrated hockey goalie, a dynamic quarter back and blocker, and an outsmarting pitcher. However, like all twins, their differences are so apparent and opposite that sometimes it hurts. Though Walter is a moving actor, Bo gets stage fright being up there with him, dressed in all black in order to blend in with the stage. Also, Bo is happy living in the small town but Walter has greater ideas and goals for himself; he wants to go to Hollywood and become a professional actor.
Bo loves and supports Walter so much (and vice versa) that though he’s terrified of doing so, he smiles, agrees to go, and skips down the sidewalk singing “We’re off to see the Wizard”. It’s this kind of relationship between the two brothers that makes “Stuck on You” a great film to see. Though you won’t be as hilariously grossed out as in “There’s Something About Mary”, “Dumb & Dumber” etc., there’re still plenty of subtle laughs in the film to fit with the Farrelly’s humor.
This kind of humor has been copied and imitated in so many other gross out (I’d hardly call them this) comedies, but they end up missing the point behind the Farrelly’s charm. The two have love and respect for their heroes, no matter how lame or hopeless they may be. Their characters are not put into stupid situations just for the sake of being stupid and funny. Though those qualities are present, there’s a touch of awareness, or lack of, that makes the characters likable. In “Stuck on You”, Bo and Walter end up in funny situations because they have to, and they’re not ashamed of it.
When they get to Hollywood, they have a rough time getting started. Walter’s agent Morty (Seymour Cassel) sets him up with his first gig which happens to be a freak porno. It’s not until they have an accidental meeting with Cher that their luck starts to change. Cher, playing herself, makes no effort at making fun of her “diva” like image. She points out all of her lower points of her career (remember the info-mercials) without batting an eye. There’s also a surprise ending with Merly Streep, who offers one of the biggest laughs of the entire movie.
“Stuck on You” is a really funny movie that’s also good at heart. It’s characters, who are handicapped (which all characters of the Farralley’s are, whether it be mentally, physically, or emotionally) know that they are and have no complaints about it. They’ve made their adjustments and are better off. The relationship between Bo and Walter is loving and hilarious, much like, I’m sure, the Farrelly’s themselves.
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