Three to Tango (1999)

A charming but problematic romantic comedy, Three to Tango wobbles between sublime farce and ridiculous contrivance in its detailing of the romantic triangle between an architect (Matthew Perry), a rich businessman (Dylan McDermott), and the businessman's mistress (Neve Campbell). What's the catch? Well, after an absurd misunderstanding, McDermott believes Perry to be gay when in actuality it's Perry's architectural partner (Oliver Platt) who is. Thinking Perry is "safe" material, the jealous McDermott enlists him to watch over Campbell so she doesn't flirt with any other guys, the tacit understanding being that if Perry keeps her out of anyone's arms, a lucrative job will be his. Of course, Perry's instantly smitten, and Campbell takes to him immediately. Both are flummoxed when McDermott reveals Perry's orientation, in one of the film's many subtly rich and funny scenes; Campbell's confused but accommodating, and Perry freaks out inside when he understands that if he wants to keep his job and stay out of debt he has to pretend to have no romantic feelings whatsoever for the woman he loves--and be her constant companion and closest friend. When it sticks to farce-screwball mixed with drawing-room comedy, Three to Tango closely resembles Tootsie, in which another man pretended to be something he wasn't in order to keep his job and his proximity to the woman he loves. However, it's the "gay issue"--and that's exactly how it's dealt with, quotation marks and all--that sadly sabotages the film. Whereas in Tootsie Dustin Hoffman's cross-dressing was taken in stride, the issue of Perry's supposed homosexuality is treated as an oppressive burden; it's not only borderline offensive, it badly bungles the film's delicate dynamics, weighing down a feather-light romance with excess baggage. It's too bad, because Perry and Campbell are better than you'd ever have any reason to believe; their courtship is genuinely funny and touching, and after a while you'll find emotional investment in these two ending up together. Despite the film's problems, they manage to pull it over the finish line. --Mark Englehart Amazon.com

Predictable, tired plot, saved by appealing cast

The plot is one of those situations that could only ever happen in a movie - desperate to win a contract, Matthew Perry falls victim to a misunderstanding - that he is gay - and has to go along with it, lest he lose the contract. The reason he might lose the contract, is that the rich builder offering the contract has asked Perry to watch over his cute mistress (Neve Campbell), assuming that Perry is `safe'.
Of course, Perry and Campbell fall in love, lots of comic moments ensue as Perry pretends to be gay, truth then comes out and she is devastated, but right at the end she.. oh, you've been here before..? Yes, it is true rom-com assembly line stuff, but where it scores is the casting. Perry does Chandler to perfection - No stretch for him, but it works well, so lets go with it.. and Neve Campbell is just so doggone easy on the eyes and downright appealing that they win you over with their undeniable chemistry.
It has a few laugh out loud moments, a few cringeworthy moments, but a one or two star movie is pulled up to three by the main duo plus a great supporting cast of Oliver Platt (as the actual gay partner), John McGinley (from Scrubs) and even Kelly Rowan (from The O.C.), plus a healthy dollop of energy in the direction.
Undemanding, smile-raising, but utterly forgettable.
September 15, 2007

Surprisingly Funny

Yes, it was predictable. Yes, comedy in America is formulaic. If you can get over that fact (and I suggest you do, else most movies will prove disappointing to you, and why be snobby about something strickly meant for pleasure, anyway?) then you will find this movie to be surprisingly funny. There are more good lines in this than I expected, and more times that I laughed out loud, even a few when I had to stop the movie. It isn't Shakespeare, but it's clever. August 19, 2007

a formulaic and messy menage

The only person in the movie that you can come to care about is Matthew Perry. It's a real stretch to understand why he comes to love Neve Campbell. She plays a ditsy, messed up artist who swims in life's shallows. The Dylan McDermott character is so one dimensional he's virtually transparent.

The movie has some juice while Perry is stuck in the "gay" mode. Once he comes out as straight everything deflates and becomes utterly predictable.

Has anyone ever seen Matthew Perry in a romantic lead where there is even the slightest chemistry? He's charming, engaging and a bit charismatic but he seems to be phoning in the passion. July 4, 2007

"You've made a big, gay bed, and you must now slumber gaily in it."

I consider Three to Tango to be tied with Fools Rush In as the top two Matthew Perry vehicles in his body of work. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either one. Like Fools Rush In, Three to Tango is a lighthearted, romantic romp, showcasing Perry at his ingratiating best.

Quick premise: A chain of contrived circumstances lead wealthy businessman Charles Newman (Dylan McDermott) to believe that architect Oscar Novak (Matthew Perry) is gay. With the implied promise of a job, Charles convinces Oscar to escort and spy on his hot mistress Amy (Neve Campbell) and keep her away from possible rivals. So, of course, following the formula, Oscar falls in love with Amy, who, in turn, is crushing back on him, until she finds out he's gay. As the movie goes on, Oscar finds it more difficult and frustrating to keep his true feelings hidden from her. It doesn't help that she soon becomes his house guest and that his "outing" becomes media news fodder, shocking his friends and incensing his father. But what it ultimately boils down to for Oscar is that he must choose between his vocation and the woman he loves.

There aren't really any major surprises here. This premise is certainly not original, going back as far as Three's Company in the '70s. Having said that, Three to Tango is still worth a look. The film boasts well-executed comedy sequences, a sweet romance, some fan-friendly acting, and great chemistry between Perry and Campbell. The humor in the film surfaces from several sources - from Perry and Platt's one liners, from Oscar's football-watching buddies (most notably Rick Gomez, the dimwit of the group), and from Oscar's sitcom-type situation itself. I disagree with Mark Englehart's review in that I felt the gay issue was treated with a light touch and doesn't weigh down the plot at all.

Perry's Oscar Novak doesn't stray too far from his Chandler Bing roots. In fact, other than the name, Oscar is exactly like Chandler, quirky mannerisms and all. But as long as Perry doesn't mine this character type too often, it's not a career ender (matter of fact, for a more serious Matthew Perry role, check out TNT's The Ron Clark Story when it comes out on dvd). And, as Oscar, Perry is consistently charming, witty, and endearing in his fumbling insecurities. My favorite line in the film is uttered by Perry, as he gazes at a portrait of a naked, hirsute heinie adorned with a Bosnian flag: "I had no idea things were so hairy in Bosnia."

Lovely Neve Campbell is great here. To be honest, I've never seen her in any bad roles. Here, she presents Amy as independent and free-spirited, yet with a vulnerable side. Like most people, she just wants to be loved. Neve Campbell really needs to do more films. God, I love her smile.

McDermott is competent as the doofus to root against, dastardly portraying the callous, self-involved, yoga-immersed Charles. Kelly Rowan, as Charles's perceptive wife, doesn't have a lot of screen time yet still makes her presence felt. Oliver Platt is terrific as Peter, Oscar's very funny, self-assured, gay business partner.

The special features kinda suck. The double-sided disc presents a full screen version on the A side, and widescreen on the B. There's a theatrical trailer and some behind the scenes facts. And that's it.

With Friends having been off the air for some years now, and with the resulting shift away of the spotlight from Matthew Perry, I don't know how many folks now remember this film. For those who haven't seen it and are wondering if it's worth renting or purchasing or even just watching on cable, the answer is a definite yes. Just don't watch it while scarfing a tuna melt.
September 9, 2006

Disappointing

Thank God..i didnt rent this one. saw it on TBS. I couldnt sit through the entire movie.one of the worst movies i have ever seen. Dylan McDormett was wasted in this role. Perry should just stick to tv. the whole gay angle got really tiring as the movie dragged. July 15, 2005

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