What Happens in Vegas

This tone-deaf flick from hack screenwriter Dana Fox, is an example of a Hollywood formula romantic comedy where the author never properly learned the recipe. After being fired from his father’s cabinet construction company, Brooklyn lay-about Jack Fuller (played by Ashton Kutcher) heads off to Vegas with his attorney pal at the same time that fellow New Yorker Joy McNally (played by Cameron Diaz) is there recovering from being dumped by her fiancé. Jack and Joy have a wild night on the town that necessarily includes a drunken trip to the altar. The couple’s mutually agreed on divorce plan snags when Jack hits a 3 million dollar jackpot with Joy’s quarter. Back in New York, judge Whopper (played by Dennis Miller) decrees that the pair must make an honest effort at making their marriage work for six months before either can access any of the money. Back and forth games of marital sabotage transpire from the relative discomfort of Jack’s former bachelor pad, but there are no laughs to be had. 

Rated PG-13, 101 mins. (C-) (Two out of Five Stars)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Full-frontal male nudity achieves de rigueur R-rated status in American cinema thanks to the shameless efforts of Judd Apatow’s gang of cutting-edge writers and directors. It’s not exactly telling tales out of school to reveal "Sarah Marshall’s" opening scene wherein on very nude Jason Segel exposes more than just his character’s Peter Bretter’s heart on his sleeve before being unceremoniously dumped by his girlfriend of the film’s title. Sarah (Kristen Bell) is a semi-famous television actress who throws over Peter’s affections in favor of a Fabioesque British singer/songwriter. Unromantic, and romantic, intrigue follow when Peter attempts to escape his broken heart on a trip to Hawaii where Sarah and her cocky boy toy have coincidentally rented a room in the same plush hotel. Jason Segel makes a nearly lovable sadsack who gets some sensual healing from the hotel’s lovely concierge Rachel (Mila Kunis). The comedy is at once sophisticated, Bawdy, and infused with ridiculous situations derived from screenwriter/actor Jason Segel’s checkered romantic past. It’s at least as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. Well, almost.

Rated R, 112 mins. (B)