The Whole Nine Yards


"It's not important how many people I've killed. What's important is how I get along with the people that are still alive."   - Jimmy


release year: 2000
genre: comedy/action
viewing setting: home DVD, 11/6/04

synopsis: A troubled dentist gets into more trouble when a former mob hitman moves in next door.

impressions: This was a good comedy with bits of action thrown in here and there. The dentist has all kinds of problems at home, and his scheming wife causes him to do some crazy things, and then the mob and some other hitmen get involved. There are a couple of comedic plot twists and turns, and generally everyone gets what they deserve in the end.

things to watch for: When the bad guys assault Jimmy's house - this is where all the gunplay takes place.

something this movie has that no other movie has: the hitman next door

acting: Matthew Perry is great as the nice-guy dentist who gets in over his head. Bruce Willis is quietly humorous (and dangerous) as the hitman. Natasha Henstridge does a fairly flat job as the hitman's estranged wife, while Rosanna Arquette is good as the dentist's scheming, evil wife. Amanda Peet turns in a quirky performance as an aspiring hitwoman. Michael Clarke-Duncan plays a huge hitman, and can be menacing just by standing there. Kevin Pollack is funny as a mob boss with a bad accent.

final word: Good dark comedy.

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