Along Came Polly (released in theaters on Jan. 16, 2004) serves as a quintessential example of the mid-2000s romantic comedy boom, blending cringeworthy slapstick with a genuine exploration of neurosis. Directed by John Hamburg, the film capitalizes on the peak comedic timing of Ben Stiller and the effortless charm of Jennifer Aniston.
Reuben Feffer (Stiller) is a professional risk assessor for a major insurance company whose life is governed by spreadsheets and sanitized surfaces. His carefully constructed world shatters during his honeymoon when he catches his new bride, Lisa (Debra Messing), in an affair with a scuba instructor named Claude (Hank Azaria).
Heartbroken and retreating to his home in New York, Reuben is dragged to an art gallery opening by his best friend, Sandy Lyle (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a former child star desperately clinging to his fleeting fame.
At the gallery, Reuben reconnects with Polly Prince (Aniston), a former classmate who has become a free-spirited, commitment-phobic nomad.
Despite their glaring incompatibilities—highlighted by Reuben’s irritable bowel syndrome and Polly’s love for spicy street food and salsa dancing—they begin an unconventional courtship.
Their relationship is a series of catastrophic dates involving blind ferrets, sweaty basketball games with Sandy, and high-stakes business meetings with an eccentric Australian daredevil client (Bryan Brown) and Reuben’s demanding boss (Alec Baldwin).
When Lisa returns seeking reconciliation, Reuben must choose between the safe, predictable life he planned and the messy, spicy, and unpredictable future offered by Polly and her salsa-dancing friend Javier (Jsu Garcia).
Featuring supporting turns from Michelle Lee, Bob Dishy, and an early appearance by Kevin Hart.
Along Came Polly is a movie that leans into the “opposites attract” trope by pitting a man obsessed with probability and safety against a woman who lives entirely in the moment, resulting in a messily endearing collision of lifestyles.
Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller in Along Came Polly (Photo/Universal Pictures)
Reception for Along Came Polly
Along Came Polly grossed $32.5 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office, ending the month-long reign of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
The film would gross $178.3 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
The legacy of Along Came Polly is largely defined by Hoffman’s legendary performance as Sandy Lyle. His portrayal of a delusional, over-the-top actor is frequently cited as one of the greatest comedic supporting turns in cinema history, often overshadowing the central romance.
The film also solidified Stiller’s status as the era’s king of “cringe humor,” while Aniston successfully transitioned her Friends persona into a more bohemian, cinematic leading lady.
The movie remains a cultural touchstone for its specific brand of physical comedy—most notably the “ferret” and “salsa” sequences—and its witty dialogue regarding the absurdity of modern risk assessment.
Today, Along Came Polly is celebrated as a nostalgic staple of its decade, remembered for its high-energy ensemble cast and its timeless message that the greatest risk in life is never taking one at all.
