ben stiller doesn not so much act a react . and he do it very well . he be very dependent on the comedy go on around him . in there something about mary and the stand up hair scene only work because of stiller try to keep a straight face . when he confront mary other two suitor and he be the unfunniest guy in the room but the scene be hilarious . in along come polly and the formula break down for reason that be difficult to fathom . stiller be surround by an array of comic talent . hank azaria and philip seymour hoffman get the best line and of which there be too few . have say that and hoffman rely a little too much on bodily humour you know we be in trouble when they go to the fart joke to raise a laugh . a basketball scene where hoffman ham it up be completely overplay ( though it throw up one predicament in the form of a shirtless opponent that do raise a smile noticeably through stiller reaction ) . however and everyone seem to be act in a bubble and there be very little reaction . hoffman and stiller character could have play off each other much and much more . aniston again reprise her rachael role and but stiller be no ross . it be more of a joey with a crush on rachael scenario . polly be a by the number rom com and that be it fail it lack heart . you do not root for the character . with a little bit more work we could have have a deep story and but in the end the film failure come down to poor writing . worth watch if it pop up on tv on a slow night and but you will regret fork out cash to see it .