‘Women vs. Men’ Compels--Oddly

It’s been said that there’s nothing more ridiculous than someone else’s love affair, and Sunday at 10 p.m., you’ll actually get two perfect examples in the Showtime original movie “Women vs. Men.”

Oh, it’s original all right. From the improbable premise through virtually every oddball plot point along the way, this film feels like a 90-minute sitcom sketch as conceived by David Lynch. Yet what’s perhaps strangest of all is that the savvy cast makes it all weirdly compelling. Or at least watchable.

Christine Lahti stars as Dana, who opens the movie by threatening divorce when longtime hubby Michael (Joe Mantegna) has the temerity to surprise her with a gift-wrapped Cadillac. Her stunned, uncomprehending spouse is comforted by his pal Bruce (Paul Reiser), who after analyzing the situation concludes that the only solution is a trip to a strip club.

A great plan, except that Dana follows them to the club and peeks inside just as these middle-aged boys are getting lap dances from some topless nymphets. Furious, Dana storms out, picks up her cell and gives Bruce’s wife, Brita (Glenne Headly), the lowdown.

Confronted later by their wives, the lads simply lie, resulting in both being given the heave-ho.

The midlife-crisis scenario includes a friend (Robert Pastorelli) who cavorts in a loincloth, a get-even striptease enjoyed by the wives and a bathroom sexual encounter involving hydrau- lics. This 40-ish bunch knows how to party.

Written by David J. Burke and directed by Chazz Palminteri, “Women vs. Men” is a battle that may leave you a bit shell-shocked.