"I    Huckabees"

"I    Huckabees"

Directed by: David O. Russell Starring: Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin, Mark Wahlberg, Isabelle Huppert and Naomi Watts Running time: 106 minutes Rated: R (for adult language and adult situations) Best suited for: Existentialists with a funny bone Least suited for: Existentialists without a funny bone, non-existentialists with or without the bone Acorn’s Rating Guide: 2 acorns

In "I ¤ Huckabees," angry and disaffected environmental-

ist Albert Markovski (Jason Schwartzman) hires two existential detectives, Vivian and Bernard Jaffe (Lily Tomlin and Dustin Hoffman), to investigate the meaning of a series of apparent coincidences in his life.

The Jaffes quickly become ubiquitous tagalongs while attempting to teach Markovski that his life is more than meaningful—that he is part of the collective conscience of a unified universe. Along that bumpy road to enlightenment, the detectives manage to convince Markovski’s slick alter-ego (Jude Law) and a menagerie of acquaintances that their lives aren’t quite what they seem.

While perhaps significant in purpose, screwball comedy may not have been the best arena in which to explore the oneness of cosmic consciousness. "Huckabees" (which is the name of a Wal-Mart type superstore encroaching on the environment) ultimately proves little more than a tepid existential farce.

Despite an exceptional cast, writer/director David O. Russell appears lost in the magnitude of his topic—and splices together a film that’s disjointed and piecemeal. Russell may indeed have something meaningful to say but seemingly hopes not to spook his audience by too deeply challenging their intelligence.

It’s as if Albert Einstein had decided to publish his Theory of Relativity in comic book form, believing the masses otherwise incapable of the slightest comprehension. Yet I do believe audiences are clever enough to follow tangential thought. Case in point: the superb (even Oscar-worthy) "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." The Jim Carrey vehicle (written by emerging pop icon Charlie Kaufmann) explores some of the same questions about life’s meaning without relying on the hokey one-liners or slapstick foolishness to which "Huckabees" often resorts.

I will admit to some bias here.

Several years ago I parried with those who felt "The Celestine Prophecies" was a remarkable book because, in my opinion, it was appallingly written. While I haven’t altered my view, I admit now that the book’s message may have been more important than the delivery.

This imbalance may be "Huckabees’" shortcoming—a film whose message becomes lost beneath a sophomoric stylistic approach. Yet some may feel that "Huckabees’" message is worth the skimpy delivery and may appreciate the film as a novel blend of zany intellect and dry comedy. Alas, such mixture remains too abstruse for me.

In a nutshell: Despite a few decent laughs and a few smart moments, "Huckabees’" plot meanders and sputters. While I’ll concede it’s an admirable attempt at probing the meaning of life—or, more aptly, the meaning of seemingly meaningless interactions—the result feels little more than a juvenile, off-Broadway talking heads dissertation on truth and life and the consciousness of being.