“The Whole Nine Yards” is a welcome stab at a black comedy – unfortunately a rather neglected genre of late. The smirking and ever cool Bruce Willis plays his stock in trade, this time as a rat hit man trying to lay low. Nor was it much of a stretch for Matthew Perry, who basically continued to play his “Friends” character with a few, admittedly hilarious, pratfalls thrown in. Then there are the women. With the exception of Rosanna Arquette, who plays Perry’s over-accented wretch of a wife, the women make the movie (what there is of it). Amanda Peet is the beautifully earthy go-getter who, predictably enough, goes out and gets what she wants, while managing to give us a little of what we want as well. And Natasha Henstridge statuesquely hangs around as both Willis’ unloved wife and Perry’s reason for being.
The plot tends to get a bit convoluted, as you’d expect when everyone wants at least someone else killed. But it’s easy enough to follow since it all pretty much goes to form. That’s the main problem with the movie. Nothing really unexpected ever happens. Perry’s nervous physical humor is good for some laughs, but the rest of the comedy relies on silly accents and one-liners you can see coming. The one surprise, and redeeming feature, is Peet’s ridiculous, but greatly appreciated, gun-wielding nude scene.
In short, this movie has a few pretty actors all playing very comfortable roles, always heading right where you expect them. Go see it for Peet’s teets, or if you’re looking for some mindless humor.
By Mike Barkacs
3.5 / 5 Stars
Starring: Bruce Willis, Mathew Perry, Amanda Peet, Rosanna Arquette, Michael Clarke Duncan, Natasha Henstridge, Harland Williams
Director: Jonathan Lynn
