Farrelly's latest, "Stuck on You," is a dazzling new DVD

By Lisa Lewis
RAW STORY COLUMNIST

Want to rent a winner? Check out “Stuck on You.”

Why do I enjoy Farrelly brothers’ movies? Well, they are not afraid to walk the edge, and they are not afraid of life. Each movie they do has an element that is somewhat “taboo” in everyday conversation, from a raging case of diarrhea, to handicaps, to living life with the hand you are dealt. How many of us really, honestly talk about the hand we are dealt in life? Don’t most of us try to ignore it, and smooth ourselves over to something grand and more perfect than we are? The Farrelly brothers embrace all that makes people interesting, and they have fun doing so.

“Stuck on You” is no exception. Now available on DVD, “Stuck on You” examines the lives of two brothers, Walt and Bob Tenor (Greg Kinnear and Matt Damon, respectively), who are conjoined twins. Having lived this way for 32 years, Walt and Bob decided early on to live life to the fullest, and not hold each other back.

Bob, an avid sports enthusiast, is able to play hockey, football, baseball and boxing, with Walt by his side. Walt is sometimes his helper, sometimes a bystander. Bob is shy, choosing to indulge in a gentle online romance rather than chase after women.

Walt, on the other hand, is an outgoing thespian who decides he wants to be an actor. Panic-attack prone Bob, who has opening night jitters, makes it through Walt’s once-a-year theatrical productions by being disguised as various props. Totally satisfied with his life on Martha’s Vineyard, Bob is jolted by Walt’s career aspirations.

Walt, explaining his dream, asks Bob to put aside their restaurant business for three months, and give Hollywood a try. Bob, “a burger flipper from Oak Bluffs, Mass.,” agrees to try the West Coast, hoping to fulfill his brother’s dream. The ensuing plot is both extremely hilarious and heartwarming.

“Stuck on You” revolves around two remarkable guys who live life full tilt. They are the poster boys for taking the hand one is dealt with and making the most of it. The film was not well received by most critics during its theatrical release. Much of the criticism revolves around the warm-hearted nature of the story line, and the opinion that it dilutes the movie. I have to resoundingly disagree. “Stuck on You” is both funny and intelligent. It involves hilarity and heart. What other movie allows Cher to play herself, making fun of Cher and her bitchy persona? Where would you see someone play Truman Capote, while his brother sweats off a panic attack onstage? Meryl Streep in a musical version of “Bonnie and Clyde”? It’s got that, too.

What has always impressed me about the Farrelly brothers, besides their wicked sense of humor, is that they use real, down-home people in their movies, right along with the big-name stars. People with handicaps; people who aren’t seen by society as aesthetically pleasing; people with genuine smiles and wonderful wit — the Farrelly brothers include them all. The characters they develop aren’t always pretty, but they are incredibly fun. Those who are outwardly beautiful, like Mary in “There’s Something About Mary,” are alluring because of their personality and compassion. The package is only frosting on the cake.

The brothers do not use handicapped people as the butt of cruel jokes. They incorporate people with handicaps into the story line, to show how beautiful they are, and how much fun they can have in life. Those who cruelly poke fun at others, and look down on people because of their handicap or appearance, are the butt of the jokes in the Farrelly brothers’ movies. “Stuck on You,” is no exception. People of all shapes, sizes and ages, and with various handicaps share screen time with Academy Award winners and nominees.

Are you in need of an enjoyable evening? Rent “Stuck on You,” order home delivery pizza, then sit back and delight in comedy that is not afraid to be both funny and humane. You won’t regret it. Walt and Bob will make you smile.