THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1999

Humor is missing element in 'Lost and Found'

By Rachelle Imson

On-Line Forty-Niner

French ex-boyfriends, a missing anniversary ring, Neil Diamond and pink dessert swans all figure prominently in the new romantic comedy "Lost & Found."

"Saturday Night Live" veteran David Spade took time out from his NBC hit series "Just Shoot Me" to star as Dylan Ramsey, an ordinary guy with a great Los Angeles apartment and new restaurant about to open.

Things look good until his exotic dancer girlfriend dumps him, his new restaurant loan is denied and on top of that, he loses his clothes in an elderly neighbor's strip poker game.

Just when things are about to hit the fan, Dylan notices his new French next-door neighbor, Lila Dubois (Sophie Marceau).

Despite Dylan's attempts to insert himself in Lila's life, he cannot get anything more out of her than a neighborly thank you - even after returning Jack, her dog, following another of the pooch's attempts at running away.

So Dylan does what any man desperately in love with the woman of his dreams would do: he kidnaps Jack, volunteers to help his distraught owner with the search and plans to produce the lost doggie in time to reap the gratitude (and a date?) from Lila.

"Lost & Found" is a comedy about finding one's true love at any cost, even if it involves a little dognapping along the way.

At any price, "Lost & Found" would not be worth the effort. Spade's minutely funny one-liners ease the movie along, but his effortless monotone and unenthusiastic acting leaves audiences high and dry.

With knee-slapping, raunchy movies like "There's Something About Mary" and "Ace Ventura," "Lost & Found" cannot compare.

Without the comedic support of Mike Myers and Chris Farley, viewers are left to wonder how Spade remains in showbiz.

The movie opens Friday.