The Bottom Line
In and out of theaters quickly, "Duplex" makes its way to DVD amidst a relatively big ad campaign. But as with most comedy movies that just don't work, the DVD commercials show the few funny parts of the film. What's left out is the majority of the movie that just sits there.
Pros
- Drew Barrymore and Ben Stiller can make even lame scripts funny
Cons
- Unfortunately, the premise just doesn't work
- The ending feels like it belongs on a different movie
- If the film's this unenjoyable, the DVD extras need to be more entertaining
Description
- Deleted scenes
- Behind the Scenes featurette
- Full-screen and Widescreen formats
Guide Review - "Duplex" DVD Review
Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore team up for this romantic comedy about a young couple who buy what they believe will be their dream home, only to find out an elderly woman with a nasty disposition lives in a rent controlled apartment on the 2nd floor. After trying to be nice to her doesn't work, the two conspire to drive her out of her apartment - even if that means resorting to killing her off.
Stiller and Barrymore are usually pretty good in romantic comedies, but "Duplex" doesn't give them much to work with. At times too cutesy, and definitely a good 15-20 minutes too long, "Duplex" fails to give the audience any real people to cheer for and in romantic comedies, we need to feel for at least one of the main players.
