Gigli on DVD

Surprise: it doesn’t suck!

Poor Gigli never had a chance. Critically panned as early as the first test screenings, the media attention that “Bennifer” received in the summer of 2003 didn’t help anything. The buzz was nothing but negative, and pretty much everyone made up his mind before it was even released. It’s really a shame, too, because we like Martin Brest’s previous work, which includes Meet Joe Black and Beverly Hills Cop.

It wasn’t a surprise to anyone when Gigli became the biggest flop of the year, grossing about 35 dollars on a budget of $55 million.

Larry Gigli (Ben Affleck) is a small-time street thug with a reputation for screwing things up. When he’s given a high-profile assignment because nobody else is available, he’s teamed up with Ricki (Jennifer Lopez), a beautiful but tough-as-nails fellow gangster. Naturally, they’re drawn to each other from the start, but it’s hard for a man to work his charm on a woman who plays for the wrong team, even if she’s been through an “experimental phase” or two.

So the two have to find a way to work out their differences, work out their mutual attraction, and not screw up their important job.

It’s hard to go into Gigli not expecting the worst movie ever made, but it’s times like these that let the free-thinking individuals show themselves. Most people would be unable to enjoy the movie based on its predetermined so-called crappiness, and the fact that not a single critic, or the three people who saw it theatrically and were interviewed thought it was remotely decent.

But here’s the kicker: it’s actually not all that bad. For a romantic comedy, it offers some genuinely funny moments, and two likable main characters that we’d really like to see get together. Add to that a lovable retard and some fine performances from the two lead actors and you have a fairly good time. Not to mention the best performance by Al Pacino in many a year.

It’s definitely not great cinema, but it’s not nearly as bad as you’ve heard (but then, how could it be?). If you’re feeling adventurous and are not susceptible to public opinion, give Gigli a try. You may be able to start a few lunchroom arguments at a later date.

We can’t blame Columbia Tristar for not wanting to invest any more money in this movie. We’re just as aware as they are that even on DVD it will be preemptively ignored. We get an average audio and video transfer, and no extras save for a few trailers for other movies starring half of Bennifer.

Video is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen, and everything here looks okay. There’s not a lot of color, but the overall print is pretty clean, and void of any of the common problems like grain or halo effect. Detail is good, but not great.

Audio is Dolby Digital 5.1, but there’s not much to talk about here, either. The center channel does most of the work (since most of the film is dialogue), but the left and right speakers do a good job with the various sound effects and the score. The rear surrounds don’t do much at all, except very quietly reiterate what the front speakers are doing at full volume.

Extras are MIA, but we understand.

Gigli, from Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment
121 minutes, anamorphic widescreen (2.40:1) 16x9 enhanced, Dolby Digital 5.1
Starring Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bartha
Produced by Casey Silver, Martin Brest
Written and directed by Martin Brest

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