Overview"The Whole Ten Yards" is a 2004 American criminal offense funny film directed by Howard Deutch and composed by George Gallo. It is the sequel to the 2000 film "The Whole Nine Yards" and stars Bruce Willis, Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, Kevin Pollak, and Natasha Henstridge. The film follows the ongoing escapades of former hitman Jimmy "The Tulip" Tudeski (Willis) and his unstable neighbor Oz Oseransky (Perry), as they end up being entangled in a new web of mob-related difficulties.
Plot SummaryAs the film opens, we find Jimmy living a quiet, rural life with his better half Jill (Amanda Peet), who aspires to be a hitwoman. Meanwhile, Oz is now married to Cynthia (Natasha Henstridge), Jimmy's ex-wife, and has developed a serene life on their own. Their harmony shatters when Lazlo Gogolak (Kevin Pollak), the vengeful dad of a mob manager whom Jimmy previously eliminated, is released from jail and seeks to avenge his child's death.
Gogolak abducts Cynthia to tempt Jimmy out of hiding. Regardless of his retirement, Jimmy's killer impulses begin, and he coordinate with the bumbling Oz to rescue Cynthia. The comical thrills start as Jimmy and Oz's clumsy and non-traditional techniques lead them on a wild chase, throwing them back into the unsafe world of organized crime that they believed they had left behind.
The duo participates in a cat-and-mouse game with Gogolak and his associates, involving deceptive identities and double-crosses. Jill contributes her own irregular however surprisingly efficient techniques, even more complicating the situation. The movie showcases several comedic set-pieces originating from the characters' ineptitude, their odd-couple dynamic, and the bizarre situations that arise from their desperate strategy.
As Oz has a hard time to come to terms with Cynthia's kidnapping and the potential loss of his wife, Jimmy remains the cool-headed however deadly force. The movie progresses with weaves that cause a last showdown between Jimmy and Gogolak's gang. The protagonists manage to utilize the infighting within Gogolak's household to their benefit, causing the rescue of Cynthia and the demise of their enemies.
Styles and Humor"The Whole Ten Yards" profits from the friendship and the contrasting characters of Jimmy and Oz, much like the initial film. Willis's cool and made up hit man pairs humorously with Perry's frantic and paranoid dentist. The motion picture's humor is also enhanced by Peet's eager but unseasoned assassin character who injects a dose of unpredictability into the mix.
The film checks out styles of loyalty, friendship, and the battle to leave one's past. Although Jimmy and Oz are polar opposites, their loyalty to each other allows them to get rid of obstacles. The principle of leaving a life of crime is challenged as the characters are drawn back into the fray, in spite of their desires for regular domestic lives.
Important ReceptionUpon its release, "The Whole Ten Yards" gotten normally negative reviews from critics, who found it inferior to its predecessor and slammed its convoluted plot and slapstick humor. The audience responses were blended, with some delighting in the ongoing character interactions and comical aspects, while others were disappointed with the absence of cohesion and total execution compared to "The Whole Nine Yards".
Despite its drawbacks, "The Whole Ten Yards" has managed to maintain a cult following among fans who value the light-hearted tone and the chemistry in between the lead actors. The film stays a noteworthy footnote in the professions of its stars, an example of a follow up that struggles to catch the magic of its very first installation.
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