For the most cautious man on Earth, life is about to get interesting.|Jan. 16, 2004|USA|90 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Comedy;Romance
Description: Reuben Feffer, a cautious actuary working for a major life insurance company, is on his honeymoon with his new wife, Lisa Kramer, in St. Barts. However, the trip takes a disastrous turn when he discovers Lisa cheating on him with Claude, a French scuba instructor. Heartbroken, Reuben returns to New York alone, struggling to rebuild his life.
During a visit to an art gallery with his friend Sandy Lyle, Reuben reconnects with Polly Prince, a former classmate from junior high school. They start dating, and Polly introduces Reuben to experiences he previously avoided due to their perceived risks. One such adventure—dining at a Moroccan restaurant—ends in chaos when Reuben’s irritable bowel syndrome acts up. Despite this, Polly gives him another chance, and their relationship grows as they salsa dance and share an intimate moment, culminating in Reuben humorously shouting “50” at the climax.
The stark differences between Reuben’s cautious nature and Polly’s free-spirited lifestyle create comedic tension. Meanwhile, Sandy, a self-centered former teen idol, attempts to revive his career by starring in an amateur production of *Jesus Christ Superstar* and filming an *E! True Hollywood Story* about his life.
When Lisa returns, seeking reconciliation, Reuben is torn between her familiarity and the excitement Polly brings. To make a decision, he inputs both women’s details into a risk-assessment program designed for his work. Despite his missteps with Polly, the program surprisingly identifies her as the “less risky” choice.
During a sailing trip, where Reuben is supposed to evaluate a high-risk client, Polly discovers his risk analysis of her and is deeply hurt. She rejects his proposal to move in together, suggesting he return to Lisa. Back in New York, Reuben tries to mend things with Polly but struggles to connect with her. At Sandy’s opening show, Reuben learns Polly plans to leave New York soon, leaving him to confront his feelings and make a final decision.
Cast director: John Hamburg
Cast actor: Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Debra Messing, Alec Baldwin, Hank Azaria, Bryan Brown, Jsu Garcia, Michele Lee, Bob Dishy
Original name: Along Came Polly