MOVIE REVIEW : Too Far ‘Out on a Limb’

In recent weeks, that capable actor Jeffrey Jones has appeared in three films that have opened without benefit of press previews, but the latest, “Out on a Limb” (citywide), is not an instance of the third time being the charm. This numbskull comedy may in fact be even worse than “Mom and Dad Saved the World” and “Stay Tuned.”

This time, the burly Jones, who first garnered wide acclaim as the obtuse Emperor Joseph II in “Amadeus,” has a dual role--as the mayor of a small logging town and as his revenge-consumed twin brother, fresh out of prison after 15 years for a murder he insists the mayor committed. It’s the twin’s imminent arrival that brings home the mayor’s financial hotshot stepson Matthew Broderick, even though this means postponing a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, to close a $140-million deal. Approaching the logging town, Broderick is held up by a glamorous crook (Heidi Kling); it becomes the first in a nonstop series of increasingly unfunny slapstick incidents.

“Out on a Limb” marks the first time director Francis Veber, responsible for many of France’s most popular comedies--four have been remade by Hollywood--hasn’t directed from his own script. Considering that his adaptation of “La Cage aux Folles,” “The Tall Blond Man With One Black Shoe” and the original version of “The Toy” are among his sterling credits, this was clearly a mistake. As skilled comedians as they are, Broderick and Jones are defeated by the grim circumstances; only pert 11-year-old Courtney Peldon, as Broderick’s bright, lively kid sister, gets to shine.

‘Out on a Limb’

Matthew Broderick: Bill

Jeffrey Jones: Matt/Peter

Heidi Kling: Sally

Courtney Peldon: Marci

A Universal Pictures presentation of an Interscope Communications production. Director Francis Veber. Producer Michael Hertzberg. Executive producers Ted Field, Scott Kroopf, Robert W. Cort. Screenplay by Daniel and Joshua Goldin. Cinematographer Donald E. Thorin. Editor Glenn Farr. Music Van Dyke Parks. Production design Stephen Marsh. Senior set designer Carroll Johnston. Set decorator Peg Cummings. Sound Darin Knight. Running time: 1 hour, 54 minutes.

MPAA-rated PG (language, some routine comedy violence).