Junior

Still, the joke is pretty funny in places. And there is a saving grace - Emma Thompson. Yes, the woman who has won critical acclaim for her serious characterizations in the Merchant-Ivory period dramas "Howards End" and "The Remains of the Day" (not to mention an Oscar for the former) reveals herself to be a wonderful physical comic - and her hysterical slapstick moves provide "Junior" with its biggest laughs." Unfortunately, Thompson's is very much a supporting role; there's simply not enough of her.

Schwarzenegger plays a stiff, bespectacled, antisocial European scientist in partnership with wild-eyed obstetrician Danny DeVito (though he's a bit more restrained here than usual). Together, they have developed a fertility wonder drug and as the film begins, they're preparing a presentation to the FDA, with assistance from the university administrator (Frank Langella) who has overseen their research.

When the FDA turns them down, DeVito wants to continue the work, but Langella has already turned over the lab to another scientist (Thompson), who has made strides in freezing eggs.

To keep their project alive, DeVito suggests to Schwarzenegger that they use a human guinea pig. At first, Schwarzenegger will have none of it. But when DeVito suggests that Schwarzenegger be the guinea pig - just to try out the drug through the first trimester - he reluctantly agrees. Still later, however, when DeVito is ready to abort the project, Schwarzenegger decides he wants to have the baby.

Most of the humor here is derived from seeing Schwarzenegger, the epitome of heroic manliness in movies like "True Lies" and the "Terminator" pictures, weeping over a Kodak commercial, fretting that he has nothing to wear and generally finding emotions unleashed that he has always kept internalized. (Albeit, stereotypical female emotions.)

The film is rather bland in its first third or so but then begins to pick up as Schwarzenegger acknowledges the awakening of his feminine side. Still, while initially amusing, it gets to be an old joke fairly quickly.

DeVito manages a few chuckles with his wisecracks, and Pamela Reed is witty and warm as his ex-wife - she's pregnant and finds herself quite sympathetic to Schwarzenegger. And even folk singer Judy Collins shows up, in a small but effective acting bit toward the end. It is Thompson who gets the biggest laughs however - and if the movie had more of her, it would be a great deal more fun.

But this is Schwarzenegger's picture, and while his performance is amusing, after awhile it just feels like shtick. One wonders what a real actor could have done with this role. Forty years ago, this would have been the perfect vehicle for Cary Grant. These days it goes to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Go figure.

"Junior" is rated PG-13 for a few scattered profanities, some mild vulgarity and some comic violence.