Stuck on You

What's happened to the Farrelly brothers? Once the chief baton whirlers of the gross out comedy, over the last few years they've tempered their most offensive instincts with a friendly, almost sweet, sensibility which has neutered the effectiveness of their work. Such is the case with their new comedy with a pushy feel-goodness, 'Stuck on You'. Taking things up a notch after the extreme obesity subject matter of 'Shallow Hal', 'Stuck on You' follows two conjoined twins called Walt (Kinnear) and Bob (Damon). Joined at the waist and sharing a liver (which negates their chances of being successfully separated), Walt and Bob run a successful fast food joint in Nantucket, while the former harbours dreams to become a Hollywood star. Deciding that his true talents lie on the big screen, Walt convinces Bob that their future lies on the big screen, and off they venture. Several dozens rejections later, Walt gets a break in the truly awful television show, 'Honey and the Beaze', which stars a game Cher, sending up herself with great enthusiasm.

Although very well acted by Messrs Kinnear and Damon, who make for an oddly likeable pair, 'Stuck on You' confirms the worst suspicions about the Farrelly brothers' on-going desperation to be liked, which marred 'Shallow Hal'. Most of the gags have a predictable slow curve, and the belly, PC-free, laughs are virtually non existent. Their refusal to go for the obvious target may be admirable, but it doesn't lend itself to hilarious comedy. These days the Farrellys just want to be liked. They were better when they didn't care.