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Review

Combining gangster shenanigans with pratfalls galore, The Whole Nine Yards is a dark comedy that ill-advisedly includes too many ingredients in the mix. Unfocused, often slowly paced and just not all that funny, the film wastes the promising premise of a guy-next-door (here living in Montreal), Oz (Perry), who learns his new neighbor is none other than the notorious Jimmy "The Tulip" Tudeski (Willis), a mob hit man turned informant. When Oz's wife convinces him to rat on Jimmy, he's thrust into an underworld Wonderland with Oz as a slapstick Alice. Perry is amiable doing his nice-guy schtick, and scores with all his walking into windows, falling down and cowardly cut-ups. However, the only walking Willis does is through his role. Peet is the best here as a would-be assassin. Director Lynn seems to be missing a beat with much of the comedy, and far too many scenes lack snap. There are a few laughs to be had, but it's not worth the wait getting there.