Diminished Capacity

Stars: Matthew Broderick, Alan Alda, Virginia Madsen, Dylan Baker, Bobby Cannavale, Jim True-Frost

Director: Terry Kinney

You've heard of Dumb and Dumber, now meet Dull and Duller. There's even an echo of the earlier film in this almost unwatchable piece about Cooper (Broderick), still unable to focus thoughts properly after a bad concussion, and his uncle (Alda), who's entered the foothills of Alzheimer's Disease.

"We just got treatment at the doctor's,' says Broderick. 'Call us Slow and Slower.'

Yet the two must combine their greatly reduced brainpower in an attempt to save uncle from being diddled in his attempts to sell a rare baseball card that could assure his future.

Though there's nothing wrong with the acting, you wouldn't fancy the chances of this soporific comedy-drama holding your attention on DVD, let alone in the cinema. Oscar nominee Madsen is cruelly wasted as the object of Cooper's befuddled attentions, while Broderick's evident weight problems on the film should perhaps see him star in a musical sequel called The Reducers.

David Quinlan

USA 2007. UK Distributor: Paramount. Colour by Kodak.
89 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: 15.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 0, Drugs 0, Swearing 1.

Review date: 17 Mar 2009