Duplex

This is a wreck of a film without one single decent laugh. I never should have listened the counterperson at the videostore who suggested it. I like the two actors normally but the stories, the humor and the premise were done with twice as much wit in an earlier Tom Hanks films with Shelly Long. This movie DUPLEX sprang a leak the moment it went on my dvd player. It wasnt worth the dollar rental I used to get it either. The film has a moment with a gaping hole in it. Its reflective of the entire film....vacuous. Why not reinvent life in the big city and actually try to come up with something funny or even remotely funny. If comedy involves timing someone ran over the watch in this dud.

Horrible comedy. This was pretty much the worst movie I have seen in a long time. I didn't laugh at all. I was stunned by the stupidity of the main characters pretty much every second from start to finish. Just like in the horror movies you always curse the stupidity of the characters. It was truly a painful 1½h. Do yourself a favor and go watch/rent something else. (really, I mean it :) -MiLe

Danny DeVito has been associated as a director or actor with some of the best black comedies of all time. "Duplex" can now be added to that elite list. Not quite as clever as "War of the Roses", certainly on par with "Ruthless People", "Duplex" is better than "Drowning Mona" or "Throw Momma From the Train". Eileen Essell is the tenant from hell, and Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore are the tormented landlords. Gradually building their outrageous plans to get rid of her, they are constantly being outdone by the little old lady. A nice twist ending wraps everything up nicely. "Duplex" will definitely reward multiple viewings. Highly recommended. - MERK

This is a hilarious comedy about the ills an unsuspecting tenant can cause for a cute pair of new homeowners! Alex Rose (Ben Stiller) and Nancy Kendricks (Drew Barrymore) play the cute couple who have just bought their first home together - a duplex. To their surprise, the land comes with its current tenant, a harmless little old lady. But everything is so perfect, why would they turn down such a home? It soon becomes apparent why they should've. I hate to spoil this film, so I'll mention something about appearances being deceiving. Just imagine an old lady as your worst nightmare and you've go this film. It's also something of a comedy of continuous errors but with off-kilter storytale ending just the same. It definitely confirmed the importance of rental control and tenant screening for me! 7/10

Danny DeVito produced a great entertaining film with Ben Stiller, (Alex Rose) and Drew Barrymore, (Nancy Kendricks) who play the role of an unmarried couple who want to find a nice quite apartment where Alex can write his books. The couple travel to Brooklyn, New York and decide to buy a duplex which is a very old brownstone home in a good section of Brooklyn. There is another tenant sharing their duplex and they proceed to introduce themselves to her and bring her a bottle of wine as her new landlords. It is not too long after this meeting that many things start to happen and the relationship starts to crumble between landlord and tenant. I never dreamed just how this picture would end, however, Danny DeVito did a great job of giving it a fantastic ending. I congratulate the great acting of Mrs. Connelly, (Eileen Essell) famous veteran actress from Britian. Enjoy.

Utterly banal insipid predictability. The plot was a rip off of every other horrible two bit chain of unfortunate events films. I guess Danny and crew were short cash and needed to sucker people out of a few bucks.

I have to say that the premise of a young couple moving into a beautiful New York duplex especially if it's played by Drew Barrymore and Ben Stiller. There is definite chemistry there between them. The problem is that they have elderly female tenant who lives on the second floor. She is beautifully played by an British actress. It would have been interesting if they casted somebody else for this role. No offense to the actress who played Mrs. Connolly because she did a wonderful job. I would have suggested casting some other actress in the role but she did do an excellent job. Anyway, the casting includes Wallace Shawn as Drew's boss and Swoosie Kurtz as Ben's editor. Ben's character is a writer and a novelist. Harvey Fierstein plays the what else gay realtor in this role. Does he ever play straight? Anyway, we find out at the end of the film the truth which might be both shocking and even cruel.