Reel News - 'The Whole Nine Yards'

Sick of ferreting out subplots and hidden meanings? Tired of watching movies that leave you with more questons than they answer? Wanna have some fun at the movies? The Whole Nine Yards is just what you should see. Staring Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry, The Whole Nine Yards is just a plain ole good time.

The movie begins with Nick "Oz" Oseransky (played by Perry) taking heaped on abuse from his nightmare of a wife, Sophie, portrayed in screeching harpy perfection by Rosanna Arquette. Took me about twenty seconds to hate her. Oz, trapped in this marriage by finances (his late father in law and ex partner in his dentistry office borrowed money from loan sharks and then killed himself, leaving Oz with the debt) has no joy in his life except for friendship with his new receptionist, Jill, played by the adorable Amanda Peet (of 1999 ans Simply Irresistable).

As he is pulling in the driveway of his Montreal home, he sees the new neighbor (Willis) moving in and goes over to welcome him into the neighborhood. During the introductions, Perry catches a glimpse of the man's tattoo and realizes his new neighbor is none other than infamous hitman Jimmy "The Tulip", hiding out from a contract put on his head by his ex partner, Yanni Gogolack, head of the Hungarian chicago mob.

He makes his way home as fast as his fear can get him there and tells his wife just exactly who the new neighbor is (HUGE MISTAKE). Sophie tells him he must go to Chicago to collect the bounty on Jimmy's head and books him a flight, promising to divorce him if he does this (the threat if he doesn't is probably more of an incentive).

Thus begins a total joy ride. Perry plays the "Milktoast" Oz flawlessly. Even after becoming friends with Jimmy, he is nervous and fearful that any second he will be killed. Michael Clarke Duncan, Yanni's enforcer "Frankie Figs" is brilliant. Even standing like a silent mountain, he stole scene after scene. Kevin Pollack as hungarian accented Yanni is hysterical "Jimmy is a rat. he is nothing but wermin".

Canadian model Natasha Henstridge (of Species fame) plays Willis' estranged wife, Cynthia. Sharp and classy, she keeps Yanni in line while making herself charming and vulnerable to the audience.

Amanda Peet as receptionist Jill is instantly likeable; telling Oz "you'd be doing the world a favor if you just had her whacked" when talking about his wife and then telling him to get shtupped while he is in Chicago.

Willis is the perfect hitman. Quiet, understated, just the non-spoken threat of death eminates from him. Matter of fact when talking about his work, "that little weasel, I made sure it took him a long time to die" and philosophical on occasion "It's not important how many people I kill," he explains to Oz; "what's important is how I get along with the people who are still alive."

This cast had a great time together and it is reflect- ed in every scene. I went in looking for a good time with one of my favorite actors (Willis) and was satisfied beyond any expectation.

This movie had something to offer for both men and women. Shoot-em-up and action for the guys and a budding romance for the women. Plenty of laughs for everyone. A Great date movie. Don't go looking for Oscar material in this one or something to dissect afterwards with friends over gallons of merlot. Go for the reason movies were made. Be entertained and leave the theater with a grin on your face.