Just saw this movie and though the cast of characters, ie: Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick, Eddie Murphy almost promise this movie to be great comic relief, I was left a little flat.
The plot (and this is the condensed version)
Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller) is the building manager of The Tower, a high-rise luxury apartment complex on Central Park West whose employees include concierge Charlie, his brother in law; Enrique, an elevator operator; Lester, the doorman nearing retirement; Odessa, a maid; and Miss Lovenko, who furtively studies for her bar exam at work. As the story progresses it becomes apparent that one of their beloved tenants, Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda) is involved in a Ponzi scheme which included taking investment money from the apartment complex employees.
Kovacs, along with a reluctant crew decide to regain the money believed to be hiding in Shaw's apartment where they meet with problems galore.
MHL thoughts:
Ok that was a lame plot description but you can go anywhere on the net to get the plot of this movie. This movie got a lot of praise from some critics but for me, a regular person that loves movies, especially comedies, well...it just wasn't what I expected. Did I have moments of laughing out loud? Not really, a soft chuckle here and there, and a huh huh...occasionally that was it. This film just didn't live up to other comedies I have seen in any of the main stars. Stiller's Something About Mary became a quick all time favorite of mine a long time ago, and I have yet to see much rise to the level of that with the exception of Meet The Fockers which I also loved. Eddie Murphy's work in The Nutty Professor was superb bar none and really showcased his versatility and comedic genius. Matthew Broderick, I just don't know if I have seen him in anything as good as Ferris Beuller's Day Off and that is sad and scary, that being said, I want him to keep trying. There's a role out there that is perfect for him. I know the talent he had back then as a young guy is still there. Alan Alda, well who doesn't love Alan Alda??? I guess in this movie, I hated seeing him as the bad guy. I loved him in Woody Allen's A Manhatten Murder Mystery, (which by the way, MHL recommends seeing).
All in all, this movie was a decent way to spend an evening, just don't expect to be roaring with laughter. The plot and story line were a stretch, and it all seemed a little forced, and wrapped up a little too neatly, as if someone said, ok, we've got to make this ending fit, so make it work.
