'Duplex' built on shaky foundation

Built on a slightly shaky foundation, Duplex does have its funny moments, but overall it's a fixer upper.\nBen Stiller and Drew Barrymore star as Alex and Nancy, a couple who move into this seemingly perfect duplex in Brooklyn. There is just one slight problem with it: the little old lady tenant from hell, Mrs. Connelly (Eileen Essel). Since the apartment is rent controlled, they cannot kick the lady out. Instead, they leave her there to make their lives miserable. \nAmong the things she manages to do to the couple is keep them up all night with her loud television, get them both fired from their jobs and get them police records and a countless number of legal costs and fines. In fact, she is such a hassle that they decide it would just be easier to kill her. However, this proves to be the next circle of hell as everything they do blows up in their faces. This old lady just won't go down.\nDuplex is directed by Danny DeVito, who often has love-'em-or-hate-'em dark comedies (i.e., Death to Smoochy). The biggest problem here is that his dark comedy often gets mixed up with more slapstick humor. Even then, most of the jokes seem to combine several other movies, from Home Alone 3 to Meet the Parents. \nNothing here is anything new. For instance, Nancy tries to rewire a lamp to electrocute the old lady. Hmmm, wonder what happens? Or right as Alex has finished typing his novel, she throws his laptop into the fire. This leads to questions such as: Why did he bring his laptop upstairs? Why hasn't he heard of saving?\nAs previously mentioned, the movie was supposed to be a dark comedy, but the only part that's "dark" is the simple fact that they are trying to kill this old lady. Not really dark by today's standards, Duplex does generate some laughs. Most come from Stiller's interactions with Essel, although he seems to be channeling an angrier Greg Focker. Barrymore is probably the weakest link. Her reactions don't really vary whether she be upset, mad, sad or impatient; it's always the same facial expressions. \nThis movie sat on the shelves for over a year before being released by Miramax (it was supposed to come out in summer 2002, but was pushed back four times), which more than likely meant it was retooled. Funny moments show Duplex did have work done, but it's still in need of repairs.