It's hard to say which is the bigger stretch: Freddie Prinze Jr. trying to pass himself off as a nerdy engineering student in "Boys and Girls" or this nearly laughless film trying to pass itself off as a comedy.

On general principle, you probably should vote for the latter, since "Boys and Girls" nearly makes Prinze's previous starring vehicle, the similarly unfunny and painful "Down to You," look inspired.

The fact that he has virtually no chemistry with co-star Claire Forlani is one of several insurmountable problems. But the real topper has got to be that the film so transparently rips off "When Harry Met Sally" and tries to get away with it without once acknowledging its "inspiration."

Of course, it's not like any sort of criticism will stop fans of Prinze — this generation's Tommy Kirk — from going to see the film, especially when they find out it re-teams him with his "She's All That" director, Robert Iscove.

This time around, instead of him attempting the "Pygmalion" act on another person, it's Prinze's character who is transformed. He stars as Ryan, a somewhat geeky college student who is good at school but unlucky at love.

In fact, the only constant in his personal life is the periodic reappearance of Jennifer (Forlani), a more glamorous fellow student and risk-taker who enjoys needling him about his lack of spontaneity.

Somehow, during their college years, these two polar opposites actually grow to become friends, even advising each other on their failed romances — to the consternation of their respective best friends and roommates (Jason Biggs, from "American Pie," and Amanda Detmer).

As luck would have it, the two also start falling in love, though her inability to commit and his tendency to take things too seriously would seem to doom their romance before it ever starts.

Again, the screenplay (by the so-called "Drews," newcomers Andrew Lowery and Andrew Miller) borrows freely from "When Harry Met Sally." But it lacks that film's warmth, and its attempts at witty dialogue are pathetic.

Iscove's lethargic direction ensures that the material falls even flatter than it should. Of course, it's not like the movie ever had a chance anyway, especially after Prinze and Forlani were cast.

Watching these two mannequins attempt to portray human emotions is almost laughable — or at least as humorous as this film ever gets.

By the way, for those in the habit of sticking around during the closing credits, there is a final gag featuring Biggs' character. But like the rest of the movie, it's not worth sitting through.

"Boys and Girls" is rated PG-13 for scattered profanity, vulgar sexual and scatological humor, slapstick violence, a brief, discreet sex scene and brief female partial nudity (during the closing-credit sequence). Running time: 93 minutes.

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E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com