Lost and Found (1999) Reviewed by Eugene Novikov http://www.ultimate-movie.com/lostandfound.html Member: Online Film Critics Society
**1/2 out of four
Starring David Spade, Sophie Marceau. Rated PG-13.
In many comedies, energy is everything. The quickness of the pace, the feel of the script and the gusto of the stars can make or break a comedy. A movie with energy can easily involve the audience in the action, while a film lacking it has to work harder to obtain momentum in other areas. Energy is especially important if a movie lacks some of the other qualities necessary for a good comedy, such as originality, or a solid script. Sheer energy is where David Spade's new vehicle Lost and Found almost overcomes its many faults. Most of David Spade's major movie roles have come as a "second-stringer", usually surrendering the spotlight to two-time co-star Chris Farley, in movies such as the cult hit Tommy Boy and the despicable Black Sheep. The untimely death of Farley and the fact that Spade is just a very funny guy, finally earned him a starring role, and it's a doozie. He plays Dylan, a struggling restaraunt owner who falls for his beautiful new neighbor, Lila. The problem is that while he's a pop-culture American, she speaks five languages and is a professional (although career-less) celloist and she's got a cocky ex-husband who tags along and is determined to compete with Dylan for her, although she tends not to like him. So to get the upper hand, Dylan decides to steal her dog, in the hopes that he, benevolent as he is, could look for it with her, and that she'd get to like him. He was only planning on it being a few hours, tops, and then he would return the dog and be a hero. But the dog eats his brother's diamond engagement ring that he asked Dylan to keep, so now returning the animal is out of the question. He must wait until the dog passes the ring out. The only problem: Lila's conniving ex finds out about Dylan keeping the dog and wants to expose him as the jackass that he is.
Indeed, the film elicits quite a few laughs during its short running time, many of them thanks to the divinely funny David Spade, whose ordinary guy charm not only gets his character out of many compromising situations but also engages us in him and the movie's mediocre script. And the climactic scene, which I will not reveal except to say that it is an odd ode to Neil Diamond, featured Spade -- for the first time in his movie career -- being daring.
Unfortunately, we've seen all of this before. Much of Lost and Found was clearly inspired by the success of last year's There's Something About Mary, with the same kind of humorous dog abuse (if such a thing exists) and raunchy humor. The subplot about trying to save the business by catering a big party is straight out of the box-office flop (but cinematic success) Simply Irresistible. Sucking up to the banker to obtain a loan is also nothing new. David Spade manages to squeeze a serviceable amount of laughs out of tired devices, but face it, it's not as funny the second time.
This would be forgiveable if only Lost and Found was as sap-less as There's Something About Mary or Simply Irresistible. Unfortunately director Jeff Pollack settles for that old hanky (panky?) ending, complete with a heart- wrenchingly lame apology, followed by a jokey line of acceptance, the obligatory kiss, immediately followed by the vomit on the person sitting in front of me. It never fails to disgust me how modern filmmakers are always willing to insert the "couple reunion" conclusion into so many comedies. I think audiences are too smart to fall for that anymore. The formula is no longer a hanky-fest, it's a cringe-fest for nearly everyone watching.
It's a shame that David Spade's exuberant efforts are wasted, because he can't quite save this comedy, although he sure comes close. I choose to look at this as a sign of a bright future for a talented comedian, rather than a complete waste. If more people see this movie the way I do, perhaps we've found our next Jim Carrey.
Copyright 1999 Eugene Novikov
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