Mar 3 2008'Meet Bill' Trailer: Like 'American Beauty', but Feel-Goodier

Imagine if American Beauty had been written and directed with the sensibilities of a romantic comedy. It probably would have turned out something like Meet Bill, a film that strips the darkly comic elements from the loser-doormat-of-a-husband redemption story and replaces them with slapstick and poignant feel-good moments (the precocious protégé adjusts a banner of Bill's head, proclaiming, "I'm fixing your head. Get it?). But despite its saccharine flavor, Bill actually looks pretty enjoyable, helped by its charming lead (Aaron Eckhart) and a supporting cast that includes Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Wiig, Elizabeth Banks, and, unfortunately, Jessica Alba, who continues to convince me she's just a sexy mannequin. Next time the script calls for "hot girl", could they try to find someone whose face isn't a permanent plastic grin?