‘Partners’ Aims for Style of ‘40s Screwball Comedies

“Partners ‘n Love,” despite enjoyable performances from “SCTV” alums Eugene Levy and Linda Kash, is a pale imitation of the genre it strives to update--the romantic screwball comedies of the ‘40s (tonight at 8 on the Family Channel).

As with Tracy and Hepburn in that classic screwball chestnut “Adam’s Rib,” the ingredients in this case are divorce, an embattled couple and slick, warring lawyers. Except that in “Partners ‘n Love,” the dialogue rarely sizzles and the pace is hardly pell-mell.

The beleaguered couple (Kash and Levy) are successful partners in a fashion line, “Mr. and Mrs. Swimwear,” who discover five years after their divorce that they’re technically still married. The news fuels the husband’s hope for reconciliation and gives the wife an anxiety attack.

Levy as the low-key star has a humorous hangdog look as the ordinary, insecure, methodical, jealous husband. And Kash is sufficiently vibrant. But Levy as the director can’t escape a sameness of tone that clings to the movie like a shroud.

Instead of sailing, the momentum lurches and, finally, after the umpteenth lovers’ breakup and renewed clinch, it ends with a fizzle instead of the snap that would help you buy into the sentiment. Still, for those Family Channel viewers enduring the ordeal of divorce, this little comedy might hold some levity. One thing for sure, though: It’ll put the kids to sleep.