Tomcats (R, 2002)

In TOMCATS, cartoonist Michael (Jerry O'Connell) and his friend Kyle (Jake Busey) are the only two bachelors left in an bet among seven young men who wagered money on which of them would be the last to get married. Michael is in debt and desperate to win, and it looks like that might happen when Kyle meets Natalie (Shannon Elizabeth) -- but then Michael begins to have feelings for her, too.

You know you're in trouble with Tomcats when the opening-credits cartoon (remember, the lead character is supposed to be a comic-strip artist) quickly turns R-rated, with a pair of animated kitties pawing Jessica Rabbit-type caricatures of femininity. And that's the best part of the feature. Well, that and a cameo by Politically Incorrect funnyman Bill Maher as a sardonic gangster. You wish the script had followed that Top Dog instead.

But it doesn't. Tomcats is a parade of labored sex gags and trashy bathroom humor, as the rather unsympathetic Michael and the offended Natalie (who, other than looking pretty, isn't granted much personality) scheme against the despicable Kyle. In one subplot the filmmakers try to push the envelope of outrageousness with a joke sequence of Michael pursuing Kyle's slippery, amputated testicle (yes, testicle) through a hospital. This sicko bit doesn't advance the plot one inch; it's just there to gross you out, like a slob who insists in showing off his gaping mouthful of chewed food. Bottom line: Avoid this movie at all costs, as there's nothing here for any member of the family.

Studio: Columbia Tristar
Director: Gregory Poirier
Cast: Jake Busey, Jerry O'Connell, Shannon Elizabeth
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: June 3, 2002
DVD release: June 3, 2002
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong sexual content including dialogue, and for language