Pun Salad

Yes, they do play the Cars song.

The comedian Dane Cook plays Tank, who moonlights by performing an unusual service for jilted ex-boyfriends: he wangles dates with the girls, then, via various terroristic tactics, makes sure they have a horrible time. The chastened ladies then realize how good the jiltees were in comparison, they get back together, and Tank gets a wad of cash.

OK, so that's a pretty far-fetched premise, but Dane Cook plays the Horrible Jerk role so well, he makes it seem plausible.

Oh, by the way: although Tank comes off as a super-cynical misogynist, we see him shedding a tear while watching Ghost, so we're aware he's really a closet romantic. Also, later on in the movie, someone says "Tank, you're a closet romantic."

Complications: Tank's best friend Dustin (Jason Biggs) wants him to work his magic on Alexis (Kate Hudson). Finally, for the first time in his life, Tank … ah, you probably guessed what happens already, so never mind.

I think one's reaction to this movie will depend on how you feel about Dane Cook's schtick. (Judging by that Tomatometer score, a lot of critics hate it.) It's accompanied by (as the MPAA says) "strong language and sexual content throughout, including graphic dialogue and some nudity." (The DVD was unrated, so they ramped that up a bit.) But I'm fine with Dane, and laughed throughout.

Some random notes:

• It was filmed in Boston, and the city never looked better; the filmmakers obviously love Beantown.

• A straightforwardly Christian character is first presented as straitlaced, and an easy cheap-shot target for Tank's methods; but—surprise!—things quickly turn around, and she winds up being treated with more respect than anyone else in the movie.

• Alec Baldwin has a small role as Tank's dad, and he's pretty good.