Along Came Polly
2004 · Directed by John Hamburg
Original language: English
- comedy
- romance
The story
Reuben Feffer is a guy who's spent his entire life playing it safe. Polly Prince is irresistible as a free-spirit who lives for the thrill of the moment. When these two comically mismatched souls collide, Reuben's world is turned upside down, as he makes an uproarious attempt to change his life from middle-of-the-road to totally-out-there.
What it’s like
Bright, mid-2000s studio comedy look: sunny Manhattan apartments and brownstone interiors in warm, slightly overexposed daylight, with Long Island beaches and Caribbean-blue water in clean, saturated digital colour. The framing is conventional and forward-facing, mostly medium two-shots and reaction close-ups that let the comic performers do the work, with bursts of handheld energy in the set pieces. The score is light and bouncy, built on acoustic guitar and easy pop cues, with the occasional rom-com needle-drop. Vibe: breezy, sun-warmed, a little scrappy around the edges. It suits a lazy weekend afternoon, a comfort rewatch, or a flight where you want something easy to laugh at. Pacing is brisk and the register is warm, self-deprecating and mostly gentle. The central arc follows a cautious, anxious man learning to loosen up around a spontaneous woman, and the humour leans on awkward mishaps, a few crude jokes and one or two sexual situations, with brief mild profanity. Violence is minimal and cartoonish, with no gore. Made for people who want a light, funny romance with recognisable faces and no real darkness.
More films like Along Came Polly
Closest in mood, pacing and theme. Tell us why you loved Along Came Pollyand we’ll explain which ones fit you.
