Duplex (2003)

 

 Originally Reviewed

Thursday December 8, 2005

Duplex is one of the forgotten Ben Stiller films, similar to the ever so strange Envy, where you saw the preview once and the next thing you know it's out on DVD and in the bargain bin. It's your typical no-brainer comedy but I was actually quite surprised at how funny this film actually was, and kind of stumped as to why it tanked so badly.

Starring Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore, Alex & Nancy move into a fairly large old style apartment in New York, although this is no ordinary apartment, it's a Duplex and a little old lady lives upstairs. They would love to evict her but rent-control laws in New York prohibit them from doing so, leaving them stuck with a crazy old lady who pays $83 a month to live on their second floor, driving them absolutely insane. Alex is a writer and has a deadline to meet, but the old woman is constantly bugging him to do things, he can't write a sentence and he can't sleep at night, finally things get so out of control that they actually plan to take her out!

This film is nothing spectacular, but I did find it to be rather comical at times, must have been the teaming of Ben Stiller against an old Irish Lady who reminded me a lot of Mrs. Doubtfire. Why it got such horrible ratings I don't know, I have seen many horrible comedies and this one is no where near the worst. Sure there wasn't much of a plot or anything new and inventive but it's classic Ben Stiller, and no where near as horrible as Envy, a Stiller film I can understand the negative reviews on.  If you're a Stiller fan, check this out and if your like me maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised that Duplex is actually rather enjoyable, which in and of itself is always a treat. 

7/10