The movie starts out more promisingly than it ends, beginning with a title explaining that the film's purpose is to put an end to some "appalling" statistics, among them the fact that "half of the people who get divorced are women."
Of course, our story is centered around a member of the other gender: Joe McDoakes, detailing his unhappy marriage on a radio show titled "The Voice of Agony - How to Be Happy Tho Married." In flashback, Joe talks about having invited a few guests over one night after work for "a little fun"; cut to a wild bunch of yahoos tearing up Joe's apartment as Joe's wife Alice looks on in horror. Of course, Joe slants the story in his favor and can't figure out why Alice walked out on him that night.
Then he recounts their Thanksgiving dinner, which was going to be with just him and his wife until Alice's mother calls and invites her side of the family over. When Joe's mother phones, Joe gets revenge by inviting over his side of the family. When Alice again leaves the apartment, Joe courteously gives her the turkey to take with her -- in her packing truck. And still, Joe can't figure out why Alice is upset.
But then, Joe brings up the most hideous aspect of their relationship: Alice snores in bed. After all of the previous stuff, this is the deal-breaker? The rest of the movie consists of Joe trying to lull Alice to sleep so that he can slip a makeshift snore-alarm around Alice's neck, eventually giving Alice the suspicion that Joe is trying to strangle her. This supposed gag routine goes off in so many different directions, it's hard to figure out what was even supposed to get a laugh.
The McDoakes finally get back together -- but it's via a weak punchline more suited to So You're Going to Be a Father.
Our rating: (C) 2012, Steve Bailey.
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