Brothers Solomon droop in humor

Most comedies I have encountered so far this year have been quite good. Hot Fuzz, Knocked Up and Superbad have set the bar exceptionally high for all future comedies to be released in 2007.

This particular comedy, The Brothers Solomon, can quite easily be summed up in very few words: not worth the money and time.

Will Arnett and Will Forte co-star as brothers John (Arnett) and Dean (Forte) Solomon trying to fulfill their dying father's wish to be a grandfather.

John and Dean are both extremely hopeless and clueless romantics; they pitifully attempt to seduce and convince women to have their father's first grandson.

Finally, one woman in desperate need of money decides to take on the challenge, and the rest of the film follows the events up to the birth of the child.

Although the film has good intentions, it tries a little too hard to be the new Dumb and Dumber and, unfortunately, fails rather miserably.

It may not sound so bad, but nothing in the film felt new. It simply felt like a hokey rendition of every other comedy I've seen this year. It was a Dumb and Dumber and Knocked Up wannabe that doesn't quite make the cut; it was, in a word, boring.

On the up side, Arnett and Forte both gave fair, but not memorable, performances given the circumstances. After all, the script was less than mediocre, the directing was flat out lifeless, and the score was entirely forgettable.

Will Forte was, oddly enough, the unfortunate writer of the unfortunately awful script.

The actors in the film did the best they could with the terrible script they were given.

Although several of them are altogether terrible at acting and did absolutely nothing with the characters they played, the few that knew what they were doing did an okay job.

The delivery of the lines by all actors, however, seemed extremely forced and all-together unfunny.

It was surprising to find that Will Arnett actually accepted the role as John Solomon seeing as how he did such an exceptional job playing the talentless, quirky illusionist Gob (pronounced "Jobe") in Arrested Development. He is a far better actor than The Brothers Solomon makes him out to be.

I mean, come on, the guy is good and deserves a decent role. What were you thinking Arnett? You're so much better than that.

Bob Odenkirk was responsible for the empty directing in the film; there was very little camerawork that was reasonably exciting. Comedies do not often rely on directing to please the viewers, but most other comedies actually have decent writing and acting.

Usually, I would not be so nit-picky and negative about the direction of a film, but comedies typically do not fail in doing the things that classify them as a comedy in the first place. This one does.

The composer John Swihart did a great job writing a score that nobody will remember. I will admit, music is not the most important thing in a movie like this one. The music just didn't add anything to the scenes. I suppose I can be a bit more forgiving towards Swihart, because he had very little to work with.

I was hopeful going into the theatre. I knew after reading several reviews about the movie that, logically, I was probably going to have a terrible experience. But, still, I retained my hope.

The first five minutes or so were surprisingly promising, but all was downhill from there.

So, if you were considering spending a nice, relaxing evening with your friends at the movies-away from your homework, your professors, and the thought of classes-may I advise you not to let perfectly good beer money go to waste on a movie ticket for The Brothers Solomon.