Stuck On You

Released 2003
Stars Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Eva Mendes, Wen Yann Shih, Cher, Seymour Cassel, Griffin Dunne
Directed by Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly

Bo and Walter are joined at the hip, and they like it that way. Their life has become a double act, and they're so efficient behind the counter of their diner in Martha's Vineyard that customers get a free burger if they have to wait more than three minutes. There are of course difficulties involved with being conjoined twins, but they're amiable souls and have learned to accommodate each other. Bo (Matt Damon) would happily stay on the island for a lifetime, but Walt (Greg Kinnear) is restless and has ambitions; he wants to be an actor. This has already led to an annual crisis involving the local amateur production; as Walt acts, Bo battles stage fright.

"Stuck on You" is the new movie by the Farrelly Brothers, who have earlier dealt with schizophrenics ("Me, Myself and Irene"), fat people ("Shallow Hal"), a one-handed bowler ("Kingpin"), stupidity ("Dumb and Dumber") and hair gel ("There's Something About Mary"). Their next film, "The Ringer," will be about an imposter who tries to crash the Special Olympics. The subjects of their comedies are defiantly non-P.C., but their hearts are in the right place, and it's refreshing to see a movie that doesn't dissolve with embarrassment in the face of handicaps.

The movie is funny, but also kind-hearted. Much screen time is given to Rocket (Ray "Rocket" Valliere), a waiter in the burger joint. He's a mentally challenged friend of the Farrellys, who makes it clear here why they like him. Their approach to handicaps is open and natural, and refreshing, compared to the anguished, guilt-laden treatment usually given to handicapped characters in movies. The fact that Walt hopes to be a movie star is less amazing, really, than that the Farrellys had the nerve to make a comedy about it.

Summary by Roger Ebert

I love the Farrelly brothers, but I'm worried they're mellowing out. "Stuck on You" is a kinder, gentler movie than they've done before. There's funny stuff, but it doesn't go for the big laughs like the rest of their movies. It made me smile a lot, but for some reason I thought it was rather flat. I loved the fact that Cher was willing to lampoon herself, but, with one exception, the scenes didn't work very well. The one exception was my biggest laugh in the movie, and that was when we saw Frankie Muniz. I busted a gut over that one, but she came across a bitch in the rest of the scenes. That was the point, but she was supposed to be a funny bitch. The rest of the movie was worth recommending, but I hope they'll get their edge back next time. --Bill Alward, May 23, 2004