For Richer of Poorer is a paint by the numbers kind of movie. There's Tim Allen, and he's funny. There's Kirsty Alley and she's funny too, so it seems to make perfect sense to put them together and expect the result to be "irresistibly witty" as one ad screams or even "a terrific comedy team." But just because mixing baking sida and vinegar in a jar creates a reaction strong enough to shoot a ball in the air doesn't mean that any two household products mixed together will create a reaction strong enough to shake the world, or even to entertain it.

        Alley and Allen are certainly households products. Both are well known for their work on prime time sitcoms and each brings their sitcom persona into this film, with few modifications. Tim Allen plays a rich husband, Brad Sexton, who builds hage and stupid amusements parks, like "The Holy Land" which is based on the Bible. Alley plays Caroline, his wife, and would-be fashion designer, except that she's too busy being a horrid NY socialite. If it sounds familiar, it's because the plot is a convenient amalgum of Tool Time and Veronica's Closet.

        Thus the team is on the court, now it's time to watch them play. Enter the IRS as the opposing team, lead with great foolishness by Larry Miller. Add the Amish as fodder for the joke playing field and supposedly the fun will begin. It doesn't.

        If you've seen the shorts for this film, you've seen the film. Actually, if you've seen Tim Allen's schtick, you've seen the movie. There are no surprizes, no twists, no turns, and too few laughs. Even Wayne Knight works his sturdy stuff to make an impact, but without Seinfeld he doesn't have a leg to wobble on.

        I can't think of any good reason to see For Richer or Poorer unless your t.v. is on the blink and you need a dose of Allen and Alley who individually strut their stuff with their usual competance, but as a team they are particulary average, creating a decidely poor final product.

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