For up and coming DVD’s, a red flag for me is when the movie boasts well known stars, but is still a film I have never heard of. Not to be mistaken with independent films that don’t catch as much of the limelight as they should, these movies are unknown to the masses simply because they lack substance. A movie that exemplifies this is The Third Wheel, a movie with star power that is matched only in its disappointment.

Stanley (Luke Wilson) is a hopeless romantic with eyes for his smart and stunning coworker Diana (Denise Richards). A recent breakup with her longtime boyfriend is the perfect opportunity for Stanley to ask the beauty out for a “casual” date. When all the wrong movies miraculously land him the date, Stanley plans out the perfect evening. Being a workplace romance in the making, Stanley’s office friend Michael (Ben Affleck) opens a gambling pool on what may or may not occur during the date. Plans on all sides go awry when Stanley accidentally hits a homeless man (who ends up being just fine), Phil (Jay Lacopo) with his car. After Stanley pays for his troubles and explains his situation, Phil decides not to leave the couple alone thinking he can help Stanley woo Diana. Stanley, upset with this unwelcome guest must find a way to salvage his date and any chance of a long term relationship with Diana.

The first half hour of The Third Wheel is very enjoyable. I loved it when the cheesy attempt to hit on the girl actually worked. I’m so used to seeing the man get rejected initially in romantic comedies. A successful pick-up made for a very funny and original sequence. Ben Affleck is smart and witty as Michael, and delivers an impressive and charismatic performance (yes, I said that about Ben Affleck). Michael’s brainchild office pool also adds a level of humor to the early parts of the film.

Some good things aren’t meant to last. Enter the actual storyline of The Third Wheel with the arrival of Lacopo’s Phil. His presence makes the film go from feel good to feel like breaking my DVD player. As opposed to seeing Phil as misunderstood and well-meaning, I saw him as an annoyance that tarnished an otherwise good movie. The first half hour of the movie is loaded with laughs, but when he entered I rarely remember myself even chuckling (I think the movie hit its ultimate low when he began singing the most dim-witted song on a bus). I can only imagine what could have been done with this movie had his character never been written into the script. Then I look at the cast and crew and see the writing credit contributed to Jay Lacopo himself. A big pat on his back for that one, he wrote himself into the script with the most obnoxiously unlovable character in recent memory.

I would hate to blame the failure of an entire movie on one character, but I have to think that was the case. Even the originality and unpredictability of The Third Wheel disappears with the introduction of Phil. While I praised the beginning of the movie for its uniqueness, the remainder of the movie becomes as predictable as the guest appearance of Matt Damon in a movie starring Ben Affleck.

Since bad news always comes in waves, here is some more. The DVD for The Third Wheel comes armed with the following special features:
NONE!

The Third Wheel begins with a blast of entertainment and ends only a shell of a movie. Star power and good acting from Ben Affleck, Luke Wilson and Denise Richards (who was sexy, charming, and gave her best performance since Wild Things) is unable to save this film, and their efforts go spoiled. My final verdict: An overall lackluster movie that only leaves thoughts of what could have been, The Third Wheel makes its way to DVD. Add on the absolute deficiency in special features and you have a DVD that is barely worth renting, let alone buying.

Movie: C-
Special Features: F (or N/A)