When the director doesn’t even want to put his name on a film, it’s not promising.

Sadly, the years Accidental Love spent in production purgatory did nothing to save its offbeat potential from the vague, meandering plot.

The worthy political arc seems to be at odds with the film’s bizarre urge to lampoon giant boners and prolapsed anuses, making it feel a bit like Deuce Bigalow Goes to Washington.

The laughs are sparse and everything from the tired stereotypes to the closing dance scene and credits gag reel date this film beyond its actual conception to about 1999.

Saved only by the smattering of funny lines and a generally affable cast, perhaps it’s no coincidence that this film was an accident waiting to happen.

RATING: 2/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Jessica Biel, Jake Gyllenhaal, Catherine Keener, James Marsden, James Brolin

DIRECTOR: Stephen Greene (David O. Russell)

WRITERS: Kristin Gore, Matthew Silverstein, Dave Jeser

SYNOPSIS: When a small-town waitress (Biel) gets a nail imbedded in her head, but lacks the necessary health insurance to have it removed, she travels to Washington D.C. to seek the help of a clueless politician (Gyllenhaal).

A preview screening of Accidental Love was kindly provided by Noble PR and Arrow Films.