Along Came Polly

Perhaps the best indication of Philip Seymour Hoffman's greatness as an actor is that he managed to elevate an otherwise tepid romantic comedy like Along Came Polly by playing that old cliche, the wacky best friend of the hero. This film is not good, but whenever Hoffman is on screen it not only is tolerable, but enjoyable.

But he is not, alas, the center of the film. That falls to Ben Stiller, playing his usual neurotic self. This time it's even written into the script--he's a risk analyst for an insurance company, so therefore he doesn't take any.

As the film begins, he marries Debra Messing, his "perfect woman." Of course we know that will end, as it's Jennifer Aniston on the poster, but how? Well, Messing will fall in love with a French scuba instructor on their honeymoon (Stiller is too afraid to go scuba diving). He comes home with his tail between his legs, and decides to take a chance by dating Aniston, who is his opposite--a woman who makes no plans and lives on the edge, which mostly means eating peanuts in a bar and salsa dancing.

Along Came Polly is so formulaic it's nauseating, not only because of an elaborate scene in which Stiller befouls her bathroom after eating ethnic food. But director John Hamburg is to be given major props for getting Hoffman as the buddy. He plays a former child star who is now a slob with pretensions of being a great actor. He has some great moments, especially on the basketball court, when he shouts "Let it rain!" as his shots bang wildly off the backboard. There's also some amusing moments as he plays Judas in a community theater production of Jesus Christ Superstar, but also wants to play Jesus at the same time.

When an actor can take a secondary role and elevate himself above the dross, it shows a great skill. He will be missed.