"If Lucy Fell" is a twentysomething '90s romantic comedy — in other words, another slacker piece — that suffers from a lukewarm script, that is tepidly played out by writer/director/star Eric Schaeffer.
But the ensemble cast here is awfully good, and occasionally there is some sparkling banter that makes one wonder what might have been with one more rewrite and a stronger director.
The central premise isn't bad, a contemporary twist on '30s screwball sensibilities, as wacky artist and pre-school teacher Joe (Schaeffer) and his best friend Lucy (Sarah Jessica Parker), a therapist with whom he platonically shares an apartment, have made a pact — if they don't find love by age 30, they will jump off the Brooklyn Bridge, hand in hand.
As 30 rapidly approaches Joe is getting a little edgy, but Lucy seems content to follow through, especially since most of the guys she dates are dullards, or worse.
Joe has been carrying a torch for five years for the gorgeous Jane (Elle Macpherson), who lives across the alley and whose activities he observes through the window. But he's too shy to approach her. At Lucy's urging, however, he slips Jane an invitation to his first gallery show, and to his shock and amazement, she actually shows up.
Meanwhile, Lucy finds herself being pursued by an eccentric, and perhaps psychotic artist named Bwick (played hilariously by Ben Stiller). One evening, Bwick takes Lucy home and spontaneously creates a work of art by covering himself with paint and literally throwing himself at the canvas. Then, when Lucy expresses doubt about the painting's artistic value, he sets the thing on fire.
While some of these set-pieces are amusing and enjoyable, the film's main problem is a lack of cohesive drive. There are moments when sentiment threatens to sink the entire work, and others where director Schaeffer allows his actors (including himself) to go for a laugh at the expense of character.
The cast is charming, however, including Shaeffer, who performs his well-meaning, neurotic, nice-guy role pretty well. The real acting honors, however, go to the aforementioned Stiller; Parker, who has proven herself in this arena many times before ("Honeymoon in Vegas," "Miami Rhapsody," etc.); and, surprisingly, Macpherson, a superstar model who demonstrates that the natural talent she displayed in "Sirens" last year was no fluke.
"If Lucy Fell" is rated R, primarily for language, though there is also some sex and a painting of a semi-nude Macpherson.