On paper,The Whole Nine Yardshad all the ingredients for box office success in 2000:Bruce Willis, fresh off a decade of being one ofHollywood’s most bankable action stars;Matthew Perry,mid-Friendsfameand trying to stretch into cinematic stardom; and a glossy studio comedy premise about a hitman moving in next door to a neurotic suburban dentist. The film delivered financially in one of the year’s most competitive box office weekends — but critically? Well, that’s another story.
Now streaming for free onPluto TV,The Whole Nine Yardsis one of those high-concept odditiesthat feels very much of its time — not just in its style or casting, but in how it mismatches its parts so enthusiastically you almost admire the confusion. It’s a gangster comedy with barely any laughs. A buddy flick where the chemistry feels more curious than compelling. And in hindsight, it’s an oddly poignant chapter in the career of Perry,who passed awaylast year and whose legacy has since sparked renewed interest in his filmography.
What Is ‘The Whole Nine Yards’ About?
Perry essentially imports hisFriendsalter ego, Chandler Bing, into the world of crime comedy. He twitches. He flails. He sputters. And for the most part, it works. He plays the straight man in a sea of lunacy, and while the film may not convince you he was destined to be a romanticcomedy lead, Perry delivers exactly what you’d hope for — timing, neurosis, and heart. As for Willis? He’s coasting. Smooth, quiet, and charming in a way that almost feels accidental, his performance rides the same laid-back charisma that got him through countless action movies in the ’90s. His chemistry with Perry isn’t exactly electric, but their contrast is part of the film’s weird, oil-and-water appeal.
WhereThe Whole Nine Yardsstumbles is in its execution. For a film built around a screwball setup and wacky murder hijinks, the laughs are surprisingly sparse. The script is tangled with twists that feel more obligatory than clever, and for a comedy, it often seems more preoccupied with plot mechanics than punchlines. Still, it’s hard not to be a little charmed by its clunky ambition. In a single weekend back in February 2000, Perry found himself going toe-to-toe with fellowFriendsstars in simultaneous releases —Lisa KudrowinHanging UpandCourteney CoxinScream 3. Among them,The Whole Nine Yardswas the winner at the box office, fending off challengers across genres, from dark sci-fi to corporate drama.The Whole Nine Yardsis streaming for free on Pluto now.
The Whole Nine Yards
