Today’s quick review: The Whole Nine Yards. Oz Oseransky (Matthew Perry), a Montreal dentist trapped in a bad marriage, gets an unpleasant shock when notorious hitman Jimmy “the Tulip” Tudeski (Bruce Willis) moves in next door. Oz soon finds himself caught between his new neighbor and Janni Gogolak (Kevin Pollak), the Chicago crime boss who wants him dead. Oz must decide whether to side with Jimmy or Janni while trying to not to get himself killed.
The Whole Nine Yards is a crime comedy that pairs a hapless dentist with an incognito hitman. The two strike up an odd friendship made even stranger by Oz’s thoroughly justified fear of Jimmy. The Whole Nine Yards takes an otherwise simple premise and spins it into a nicely complicated story with a large cast, plenty of humor, and the craftsmanship to back it up. The result is a well-judged comedy that plays directly to its actors’ strengths.
The Whole Nine Yards’ greatest strength is its cast. Matthew Perry stars as Oz, a nice man whose panic gives the film much of its comedy. Bruce Willis co-stars as Jimmy, a dangerous hitman with a friendly demeanor and a curious set of principles. They are joined by a talented supporting cast that includes Jimmy’s estranged wife Cynthia (Natasha Henstridge), Oz’s assistant Jill (Amanda Peet), and Janni’s muscle Frankie (Michael Clarke Duncan).
The plot is a complicated affair involving schemes, shifting alliances, a life insurance policy, dental fraud, a couple of tangled romances, and $10 million that’s only a few murders away. The Whole Nine Yards uses its chaotic plot to drag Oz deeper into a world of crime that he’s ill-equipped to navigate. Oz’s chivalry, his sense of self-preservation, and his feelings for the people around him all contribute to a protagonist who’s easy to like.
Watch The Whole Nine Yards when you’re looking for well-balanced comedy with a good mix of plot, character, and humor. The Whole Nine Yards doesn’t excel in any area in particular, but its honest comedy and sense of proportion make it a pleasant, entertaining watch. For a spy comedy with a similar comedic pairing, try The In-Laws. For a goofier crime comedy with a similar sense of humor, try Johnny Dangerously.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for putting a great cast to good use.