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A sports shop owner in San Francisco, Eddie Cantrow (Ben Stiller) is hopelessly single. His father, Doc (Jerry Stiller), constantly tries to console his son about his failed relationships, while his best friend, Mac (Rob Corddry), struggles with an imperfect marriage. After a chance meeting with the gorgeous Lila (Malin Åkerman), the pair have a whirlwind romance, impulsively getting married to avoid a job relocation despite only dating for six weeks. Heading to Cabos, Mexico, for their honeymoon, the cracks begin to show in their relationship almost immediately, as several things about Lila irritate Eddie, and her behaviour only worsens during the trip. Eddie quickly regrets his decision to marry Lila, and finds comfort with the sweet Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), who's on vacation with her family. As Eddie spends more time with Miranda and her family, he seriously considers divorcing his new wife.
I avoided The Heartbreak Kid for years because critics made it out to be an irredeemable trainwreck, but the critics got this one wrong. Contrary to the harsh reviews, the movie is frequently hilarious, delivering a stream of memorably laugh-out-loud scenes and moments. There are more big belly laughs than I was anticipating, from the ludicrous sex scenes to the foul-mouthed dialogue, and one memorable moment involving a donkey. The Farrelly brothers dabbled in PG-13 comedies for a few years in the early 2000s (Stuck on You, Shallow Hal), but The Heartbreak Kid sees the directors embracing their R-rated sensibilities, going bonkers and raunching it up with hysterical comedic set pieces.
Some viewers might balk at the way the Farrelly brothers reinterpret the original film, but it undeniably works if you appreciate this type of R-rated humour. The Heartbreak Kid retains the structure of the 1972 picture, but the directors (who co-wrote the screenplay with Scot Armstrong, Leslie Dixon, and Kevin Barnett) colour the flick with their trademark brand of juvenile comedy. The movie is undeniably too long at a beefy two hours, and it starts to lose its way throughout the protracted third act that lacks the comedic spark of what came before it, but there is otherwise very little to complain about. Eddie's morals are certainly debatable, as the character is a cowardly liar, but the movie is not necessarily on his side. The script makes him pay for his actions in Mexico, and even though the conclusion is slightly predictable, he does not receive a perfect, fairytale ending.
Another commendable aspect of The Heartbreak Kid is the way it patiently develops Eddie and Lila in the first act, allowing the romantic relationship to feel genuine and earned. You want to see the pair get together, but it gradually begins to fall apart as Eddie realises he made a terrible mistake. Stiller plays the prototypical straight man, which is typical for the actors in such productions (Meet the Parents, Along Came Polly), and he consistently reacts to the insanity around him. Malin Åkerman's unhinged performance is a highlight, with the actress fearlessly going for broke here. A colourful supporting cast surrounds Stiller, with several recognisable comedic actors turning in memorable performances. Stiller's real-life father, the late Jerry Stiller, scores several laughs, while the likes of Danny McBride (Pineapple Express), Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine), and comedian Carlos Mencia are also on hand here. Meanwhile, Michelle Monaghan (who was fresh from Mission: Impossible III) is a delight as Eddie's new love interest, making it easy to understand why the newly married man quickly changes his mind.
In 2025, there is something innately comforting about movies like The Heartbreak Kid. It was shot on celluloid by ace cinematographer Matthew F. Leonetti (Poltergeist, Commando), it's boldly R-rated, the film is unafraid of offending anyone, and it's charming in its simplicity, with no dreary character or genre deconstructions. Without emerging as an awards contender, The Heartbreak Kid is a perfectly entertaining way to spend a couple of hours, and there is ample replay value.
7.2/10
