It's nearly impossible not to have make-or-break preconceptions about certain films, especially ones involving huge celebrities in clichéd setups. My sister Jill's initial reaction to the new romantic comedy "What Happens In Vegas" echoed that of everyone I spoke to, but... well, hers conveyed much with little: "Eeuuww. Eeuuww! Eeuuww. Did I say ‘eeuuww'? I meant ‘yuck.'"

Secretly, though, I didn't share the rest of the planet's knee-jerk pessimism. "What Happens in Vegas" looked OK to me, with inoffensive leads, scene-stealing second bananas, and broad slapstick that stars Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher could nail in their sleep. Of course there would be the inevitable litany of rom-com chestnuts, but at least I wouldn't have to bring something to chomp down on and prevent me from swallowing my own tongue, which couldn't be safely assumed for "Speed Racer."

Scripted by hometown girl Dana Fox (Brighton, represent!), "What Happens In Vegas" sets itself up with a violent meet-cute between Kutcher's newly sacked Jack and Diaz's recently jilted Joy, both hoping to forget their Big Apple troubles in Sin City. Boozing and bonding leads to one of those impulse Vegas weddings, followed the next morning by regret, orange juice, and ego-driven spite. They could easily go their separate ways but for the $3 million Jack liberates from a slot machine using Joy's quarter. So back in New York the greedy newlyweds honeymoon in front of Judge Whopper (Dennis Miller, full of both snark and himself), who hands down the harsh and vaguely "Seinfeld"-ian sentence of "six months' hard marriage," after which the jackpot will be divided evenly.

Cue, naturally, a pratfalling parade of one-upmanship during which slacker Jack and control-freak Joy, aided by respective best friends/flying monkeys Hater and Tipper (Rob Corddry and Lake Bell), attempt to trick each other into violating the judge's decree. But Diaz and Kutcher appear to be having a blast, and despite there not being any romantic spark between the two, it's hard not to get caught up in their vindictive fun. "What Happens In Vegas" only folds once it's time for everyone to learn lessons, and then it all goes to sappy hell. Joy moons as Jack plays with kids, Jack charms Joy's prickly boss... you know the drill. One or two rom-com machinations are forgivable, but goodwill dries up whenever Jack rolls out his cheesy, belabored Vegas metaphor about betting on oneself. Which is often.

Shabbily constructed by director Tom Vaughan, with choppy pacing, uninspired framing, and lighting that makes poor Diaz look like a buttery saddle, "What Happens In Vegas" is especially redeemed by its sidekicks. Not discounting the furry, underrated Zach Galifianakis as Jack's alleged buddy, Corddry and Bell take turns stealing scenes, Corddry a frat-boy dervish and Bell bitterly deadpan. It's to Fox's credit that she doesn't succumb to the temptation of hooking up sworn enemies Hater and Tipper... at least before the end credits, which do answer some questions. It must be frustrating for screenwriters, who'd probably like to push the limits of a genre, but the studios always seem to bet on blecch.

Though they spent the majority of the last century under the cruel Soviet thumb, the people of Estonia, with their broad Baltic faces and unmistakably Nordic names, kept their distinctive, colorful culture quietly alive. Gorbachev's attempts to drag the USSR into modern times via "glasnost" and "perestroika," the buzzwords that encouraged both freedom of speech and information, ultimately enabled what would be dubbed the Singing Revolution, as Estonian folk-singing festivals slowly evolved into rallies for independence.

Narrated in filmstrip cadence by the unplaceable accent of Linda Hunt, the rousing documentary "The Singing Revolution" employs interviews and archival footage to chronicle Estonia's journey from occupied land to free state. The film offers an overview of 20th century Estonia but narrows its concentration to the years 1986-1991, which found many Estonians becoming unwitting activists just by raising their voices in song. And whenever the material threatens to turn dry we're treated to breathtaking shots of Estonia's massive song festivals, where tens of thousands of Estonians aren't taking their freedoms for granted. 

What Happens in Vegas

(PG-13), directed by Tom Vaughan

Now playing

The Singing Revolution

(NR), directed by James Tusty and Maureen Castle Tusty

Opens Friday