The Whole Nine Yards [2000]

Matthew Perry stars as a mild-mannered Montreal dentist, married to a French-Canadian shrew (Rosanna Arquette), whose new next-door neighbour (Bruce Willis) just happens to be a notorious mob hit-man out on parole. The wife, catching the whiff of easy money and probably just hoping to put hubby in harms way, orders her hen pecked spouse to rat out the gunman to his former employers, who have many compelling reasons to want him dead. Needless to say, complications--and plenty of them--ensue.

Perry is serviceably harried as the beleaguered Everyman whom, as nice as everyone around him agrees that he is the person, just about everyone, wants to kill. Willis, much as he did in The Sixth Sense, gets better mileage out of not trying so hard; his irksome smirk is almost held in check. Amanda Peet has some funny scenes as a hit-man groupie—it's when her true role in the proceedings is revealed that the film finally kicks into comic gear. Michael Clarke Duncan is fine as yet another hit man to cross Perry's path; however, Arquette seems to be in a contest with Kevin Pollak (playing a mob boss) to see who can uncork both the most ludicrous accent and the most obvious performance. That kind of unevenness ensures that the pleasures that do exist within The Whole Nine Yards remain fairly minor. --David Kronke, Amazon.com

Matthew plays the one role he knows well, slightly witless, funny american. Although his performance is very much like that of Three to Tango, you should find this very paletable.

My biggest complaint about this film is Matthew's screen wife's terrible French accent, but considering how painful your sides will be after laughing for an hour thirty you can put up with it.

A worthwell buy.


A WONDERFULLY FUNNY FILM...   December 1, 2002
Lawyeraau (Balmoral Castle)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

When this movie first came out, I passed on it, mistakenly believing it to be a football film. Was I ever wrong! It is a terrific black comedy, with wonderful performances by Matthew Perry, the ever cool Bruce Willis, Michael Clarke Duncan, and a break out performance by Amanda Peet. Quite frankly, the movie is just plain hilarious, and a little gem of a film which one could happily see again and again, as I already have, and laugh each and every time.

Matthew Perry is wonderful as the hapless everyman, a dentist who finds himself living in Canada with his witchy and shrewish French-Canadian wife, played by Rosanna Arquette with a French accent that is over the top and ao bad as to be laughable. Decidedly no longer in love with her husband, she wants to have her husband bumped off for insurance money.

As luck would have it, a notorious Chicago based hit man, with a mob contract out on his own life, just happens to move in next door to the unhappily married duo. This hit man, cooly played to perfection by Bruce Willis, meets his neighbor, Matthew, who also happens to originate from Chicago. Bruce looks familiar to Matthew, who ultimately recognizes him for who he is. While initially unnerved by Bruce, they somehow hit it off.

Matthew, however, foolishly tells his wife that he believes the neighbor to be a hit man with a price on his head, and the games begin. She sends Matthew to Chicago to have him give up their neighbor, the hit man, for the contract money. Matthew goes, mainly to appease her, as he really has no intention of giving up his new found friend.

Meanwhile, no sooner does he leave, than she herself goes to the neighbor to give her husband up in hopes that he will get rid of her husband for her. In the interim, Matthew is met in Chicago by Michael Clarke Duncan who takes him to the mob boss who wants to bump off Bruce. There, Matthew meets Bruce's wife, with whom he becomes smitten. What transpires next compels Matthew to return to Canada, where he gets the surprise of his life. This all sets in motion a series of events which will have the viewer howling with laughter.

Needless to say, there are numerous unexpected twists and turns in this movie, all of which contribute to its success as a black comedy. This film is, undoubtedly, one of the best in this genre. Michael Clarke Duncan, who also happens to play a hit man, gives an ingratiating performance as Bruce Willis' buddy. Amanda Peet is absolutely hilarious as a hit man wanna be. I do not want, however, to give away any more of the plot. Suffice to say, watch this film. You will not be disappointed. In fact, you will be too busy, laughing up a storm. Enjoy!


The Best comedy I have seen in ages with all the top stars!   November 20, 2000
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Absolutly hilarious tale of a man who's just had a hit man move in next door!! After a series of hilarious happens with his wife trying to kill him and Jimmy "The Tulip" setting him up he ends up with every hit man trying after him! Matthew Perry at his finest. Bruce willis is the best actor comedy and action wise, after wathing so many comedies, this one will make you cry! I rented this baby out and I laughed every moment! Go buy it NOW. And buy it from Amazon for the best deals.


Strange humour   December 15, 2001
2 out of 16 found this review helpful

Not one of his best films. A bit dull throughout but with some strange twists. The humour is a bit American - I didn't laugh at it much - didn't know whether to or not. Not one I would recommend, especially if you are looking for action.