Along Came Polly Synopsis: A buttoned-up newlywed finds his strictly organized life descend into chaos when he falls in love with an old classmate.
After his wife leaves him for another man on their honeymoon, Reuben runs into Polly, an old classmate who pulls him firmly out of his comfort zone.
This was not my first watch of Along Came Polly, but it’s been a long time since I last saw it, so I went into it semi-fresh. I had wholly forgotten Philip Seymour Hoffman was in this, playing Ruben’s best friend and former child star Sandy Lyle. Hoffman was a brilliant dramatic actor, but god, he was funny as hell, too. What a loss that he’s no longer with us.
Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston are delightful together. Reuben is a risk analyst who, yes, has trouble taking risks. Polly is a free spirit, aimless in life but content with it. As they spend time together, Polly and Reuben are both changed by the other. Reuben learns to take more risks while Polly begins to understand that some order to her life wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Of course, complications arise in the form of Reuben’s estranged wife, Lisa, as well as Polly’s fear of commitment. Ruben and Polly clearly connect, but are they ready for something more? I enjoyed Along Came Polly quite a bit, mostly because it was very focused on Reuben and Polly’s growth. There are some mild gross-out moments but nothing too intolerable – it’s rated PG-13, after all.
I miss seeing Ben Stiller in these silly comedic roles. Both he and Jennifer Aniston seemed to have moved into more dramatic roles, which I can appreciate, but they definitely hold a place in my rom-com heart for these lighter comedies. And it’s a shame they never did another together because they have the right kind of chemistry to make a movie like Along Came Polly work. It’s extremely silly but also fun and romantic. And you get a hilarious supporting turn by Philip Seymour Hoffman, so yes, it’s worth a watch.
Watched: 01/19/2023
Notable Song: Let My Love Open the Door by Pete Townshend
