Month: May 2024

Today’s quick review: Jack and Jill. Jack Sadelstein (Adam Sandler), an ad director going through a stressful time in his career, faces domestic turmoil when his annoying twin sister Jill (Adam Sandler) comes to stay over for Thanksgiving. While Jack tries to keep his sister’s issues from overwhelming the family, he scrambles to find a way to convince Al Pacino (Al Pacino) to star in one of his commercials.

Jack and Jill is a comedy starring Adam Sandler as a pair of twins with conflicting personalities. Jack is the more normal of the two, but he has a manipulative streak and is quick to judge his sister. Meanwhile, Jill is a kind-hearted loser with a laundry list of personal problems. The movie runs on a mixture of Jill’s antics and Jack’s increasingly desperate attempts to get the attention of mega-star Al Pacino.

Unfortunately, Jack and Jill gambles big on a character who does not pay off. Jill Sadelstein is larger than life in all the wrong ways. Loud, confused, and obnoxious, Jill dominates the movie even when she is not onscreen. Most of the movie’s humor comes from taking shots at Jill and the sorry state of her life, but late in the game, the movie switches tacks and tries to make her a sympathetic character who just needs a chance.

Jill’s unlikable personality proves to be a large barrier for the movie to overcome. A potentially touching plot about two siblings learning to respect one another is undermined by Jill’s abrasiveness. The character acts like a magnet for coarse humor, another mark against her for viewers who dislike that style of comedy. Finally, even the odd Jill joke that hits the mark is likely to be hurt by Adam Sandler’s exaggerated delivery.

The rest of the movie covers the spectrum between entertaining and bizarre. Jack’s job as an advertising director in Los Angeles gives the movie an excuse to bring in celebrities to poke fun at. The most notable of these is Al Pacino, who plays himself as an egotistical actor who develops an unhealthy obsession with Jill. The celebrity jokes score a couple of deep hits, but they make the movie feel more surreal than it already is.

Jack and Jill mixes a handful of good ideas with a few questionable ones and some very dubious execution. The character of Jill Sadelstein puts the movie at a disadvantage from the very beginning, and the situation only gets less tenable as the movie tries to mix in sentimentality and pop culture humor. Some viewers will find Jill either funny or sympathetic enough to enjoy the film, but most will consider Jack and Jill a swing and a miss.

[3.3 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0810913/). I give it a 5.0 for a smattering of decent humor undermined by an unlikable lead and some odd decisions.

Today’s quick review: Murder Mystery. Nick Spitz (Adam Sandler), a New York police officer, and his wife Audrey (Jennifer Aniston) are on their way to Europe for a vacation when Charles Cavendish (Luke Evans), the nephew of billionaire Malcolm Quince (Terence Stamp), invites the couple to stay on his uncle’s yacht. But the trip takes an unexpected turn when Malcolm is murdered, leaving Nick and Audrey as the prime suspects.

Murder Mystery is a comedy mystery starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. The movie drops a pair of American tourists in the middle of a murder investigation involving a dead billionaire, a disputed will, and an extended family with plenty of motive. Murder Mystery is an affectionate send-up of the mystery genre that turns its conventions on their head. Light humor and well-matched leads make the movie a fun watch.

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston are the bedrock of Murder Mystery. They capture the dynamic of a married couple with skill, and their arguing, teamwork, and affection for one another give the movie the energy it runs on. The pot is a winding parody of a classic murder mystery. Audrey and Nick use their knowledge of the genre to try to guess which outlandish suspect is the killer so they can clear their names and go home.

Murder Mystery accomplishes most of its goals, but it makes a few choices that will diminish the enjoyment of some viewers. The movie relies heavily on the dynamic between Nick and Audrey to drive its humor, so anyone who dislikes the way they argue, support each other, and quip their way through the investigation will have a rough time. Furthermore, the mystery itself is loosely constructed and short on clues.

Give Murder Mystery a shot when you are in the mood for something light, irreverent, and couple-centered. Murder Mystery is not as sharply written as some comedies, and its deliberately flimsy plot undermines its value as a mystery. But the combination of likable leads and whodunit parody make it an entertaining watch regardless, and anyone in a generous mood should give it a shot.

For a more sharply written comedy mystery, check out Knives Out. For a more ridiculous parody of the whodunit genre, try Murder by Death or Clue. For another adventure about an American caught up in intrigue on a European vacation, try The Tourist.

[6.0 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1618434/). I give it a 6.5 for irreverent comedy.

Today’s quick review: Just Go With It. Danny Maccabee (Adam Sandler), a plastic surgeon who lies about being married to sleep with women, lands in hot water when Palmer (Brooklyn Decker), the perfect girl, notices his fake wedding ring. To cover for it, Danny pretends to be going through a divorce, and he sells the lie by convincing his assistant Katherine (Jennifer Aniston) to pose as his soon-to-be-ex wife.

Just Go With It is a romantic comedy about a plastic surgeon who fakes being married to hang onto his new girlfriend. What begins as a little lie quickly grows into a series of enormous ones as Danny and Katherine are forced to fill in the details of their fictitious marriage. Along the way, they get the chance to examine their own friendship and what they really want out of life.

The heart of Just Go With It is the chemistry between Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. Their scenes together are smooth and effortless, and they perfectly capture the dynamic of old friends who know each other better than they know themselves. Their dialogue is a mixed bag, packed with odd tangents and jokes that miss the mark, but their delivery sells it, an organic back-and-forth between two people who are deeply invested in each other.

The rest of the movie is a little too silly for its own good. The mountain of lies that drive the plot are never motivated very well, and the movie resorts to outlandish characters with exaggerated gimmicks to fuel its comedy. To its credit, Just Go With It keeps a consistent tone and uses its ridiculous comedy to its advantage. But for some viewers, the antics will detract from an otherwise promising story.

Just Go With It is a fine pick when you are in the mood for a light comedy about lies and romance. The movie is not graceful with either its plot or its comedy, but its cast has good chemistry, its premise leads to some fun situations, and its jokes are entertaining for anyone who can get into the right spirit. Steer clear if you are looking for something a little more dignified.

For an Adam Sandler romantic comedy with a little more substance to it, try 50 First Dates.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1564367/). I give it a 6.5 for good chemistry and mixed humor.

Today’s quick review: 50 First Dates. Henry Roth (Adam Sandler), a man with commitment issues, changes his ways when he falls in love with Lucy (Drew Barrymore), a woman with brain damage that leaves her unable to form new memories. As Henry introduces himself to Lucy over and over again, he looks for a way to help Lucy move past her injury and make their relationship permanent.

50 First Dates is a romantic comedy about the unlikely relationship between a man and a woman who can only experience one day at a time. The movie blends Adam Sandler’s playful, sarcastic style of humor with a touching story about deep love and making a relationship work no matter the cost. 50 First Dates accomplishes some rather ambitious goals, but its unusual premise and raunchy humor will make it hit-or-miss.

50 First Dates walks a fine line with its story. Lucy’s situation is precarious, reliving the same day over and over again with the help of her father (Blake Clark) and brother (Sean Astin). Henry tries to break this cycle, introducing more permanent changes to her life and patiently helping her with her condition. His altruism gives the story the moral foundation it needs to function and paves the way for an endearing romance.

50 First Dates supplements this basic story with a grab bag of humor, romance, and drama. Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore have good chemistry that helps sell the idea of Lucy falling in love with Henry day after day. The humor skews a little crude, but it is spirited and deeply tied to Henry’s character. Finally, the dramatic side of the story does a good job of exploring Lucy’s condition and what it means for the rest of her life.

Give 50 First Dates a shot when you are willing to gamble on an unconventional story with an unconventional payoff. Not everyone will like what the movie has to offer, whether in terms of its comedy or the peculiar relationship it explores. But those who give it a chance will find a nice mix of touching moments and light comedy. Skip it if you are expecting either a polished, masterful drama or a tangle-free romance.

For a comedy about a man unable to form new memories, try Clean Slate. For an even more offbeat romance that explores memory issues and commitment, try Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. For a romantic comedy that develops similar themes with even more finesse, try Groundhog Day. For an Adam Sandler comedy with a similar blend of humor and meaning, try Click.

[6.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343660/). I give it a 7.0 for a love story with more to it than meets the eye.

Today’s quick review: Big Daddy. Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler), a slacker who never takes responsibility for anything, has a change of heart when he meets Julian (Cole Sprouse and Dylan Sprouse), the illegitimate son of Sonny’s roommate Kevin (Jon Stewart). With Kevin out of the country, Sonny decides to take care of the boy himself. But when Sonny tries to adopt the boy as his own, he faces an uphill legal battle.

Big Daddy is a comedy starring Adam Sandler as an underachiever who sets out to raise a five-year-old boy. Given the chance to care for a friend’s son, Sonny Koufax applies his own lax standards and lazy work ethic to the challenge of being a father. Big Daddy aims to be a funny and heartfelt story about a man finding meaning through parenting. However, hit-or-miss humor and shaky plot logic keep it from being a complete success.

Big Daddy is at its best when Sonny and Julian are just hanging out. Adam Sandler fits the role of Sonny perfectly, a playful and sarcastic man who defies social conventions. The shortcuts he takes when raising Julian lead to some fun results, and his offbeat approach to parenting give the movie a distinct flavor of comedy. For his part, Julian makes for a young and suitably impressionable partner for Sonny’s antics.

Big Daddy is on shakier ground when it tries to be meaningful. In theory, Big Daddy has the perfect setup for a heartfelt story about a man learning to care about others. But in practice, the story is too poorly motivated to hold much water. Sonny decides to adopt Julian on a whim, and this fact undermines the movie’s later attempts to make their relationship matter. The result is a story with less heart than it wants to have.

Big Daddy is a fine pick for fans of Adam Sandler or anyone in the mood for a kid-themed comedy. Fun character interactions and a decent premise make the movie a worthwhile watch, but its emotional arc leaves something to be desired. Give it a shot if you’re looking for some light laughs. Skip it if you are looking for subtle character work or a fulfilling story.

For a heartfelt adventure about a boy getting used to his new home, try Secondhand Lions. For a more dramatic movie about an irresponsible man learning to take care of a child, try Hard Surfaces. For a stylized action comedy about a slacker picking up the pieces of his life, try Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0142342/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for decent comedy that makes a few missteps.

Today’s quick review: Mr. Deeds. Longfellow Deeds (Adam Sandler), a regular guy from rural New Hampshire, becomes the most famous man in New York when he inherits $40 billion from his wealthy uncle. As Chuck Cedar (Peter Gallagher) pushes Deeds to sell his shares so he can break up the company, Deeds falls in love with Babe Bennett (Winona Ryder), an undercover reporter taking advantage of his small-town naivety.

Mr. Deeds is a comedy about an ordinary man who inherits a massive fortune. Faced with more money than he can spend, the adulation of the New York elite, and the scrutiny of a manipulative media, Deeds refuses to let anything change his honest, homey attitude and generous spirit. Mr. Deeds is a light take on money, love, and what really matters in life. Decent humor and a fine premise are held back by a restricted bag of comedic tricks.

Mr. Deeds has one angle that it plays up almost continuously: the contrast between Deeds’ genuine, caring personality and the selfishness of the people trying to exploit him. The dynamic works well on paper, especially when Deeds’ honesty begins to rub off on Babe, but the repetition hurts it in practice. Deeds comes off as static rather than someone who can learn and grow, and the pettiness of his enemies feels contrived.

Mr. Deeds also suffers from a particular issue where the main premise barely seems to matter. Deeds’ inheritance is a plot device that gives him the chance to interact with businessmen, reporters, and celebrities. There is very little in the way of extravagant spending, unconventional priorities, or other comedy that exploits Deeds’ wealth. Instead, Adam Sandler plies his personal style of humor with Deeds’ money vaguely in the background.

The end result is a comedy that will earn some laughs from the right viewer but which misses the opportunity to run with its premise. Mr. Deeds is a plain but amusing watch for anyone who enjoys Adam Sandler’s style of humor and classic themes of wealth versus character. But the movie only ever seems halfway interested in its premise, so a lot of its potential for both story and comedy falls by the wayside.

For another comedy about a change in station, try Trading Places. For a colorful comedy glorifying an ordinary man, try Joe Dirt. For a more eclectic comedy with Adam Sandler in a similar role, try Hubie Halloween.

[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0280590/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for decent humor with missed potential.

Today’s quick review: Click. No matter how hard he works, Mike Newman (Adam Sandler) doesn’t have the time to both impress his boss (David Hasselhoff) and pay attention to his family, including his wife Donna (Kate Beckinsale) and their children (Joseph Castanon and Tatum McCann). But Mike gets a shot at having it all when Morty (Christopher Walken), a mysterious stranger, gives him a universal remote that can control the flow of his life.

Click is a fantasy comedy about a working father who receives a device that finally lets him balance his career and his home life. Click explores the ramifications of a truly universal remote, following Mike as he uses the device to pause, fastforward, and rewind the key moments of his life. What begins as a goofy comedy about a man exploiting his newfound power soon grows into a more meaningful story about what matters in life.

Click runs with its premise in a way that few other movies do. Mike spends the early part of the movie abusing the remote in every way possible, from skipping past predictable arguments to using the remote’s language settings to eavesdrop on his Japanese business partners. But Click soon goes even farther, showing the consequences of the remote on Mike’s work, life, and marriage as he comes to rely too much on its power.

The result is a unique hybrid: a generally silly comedy that has a backbone of meaningful speculation. Click never leaves behind its humorous roots, but it ventures into more serious territory that takes its premise to the next level. Click is not pristine or artfully constructed, but its blend of coarse humor and human themes manages to get the job done.

Many viewers will find Click a little too strange, either in terms of its humor or the farther leaps its story takes. But for those willing to take the movie on its own terms, Click is a humble yet moving story that combines breezy humor with deeper themes. Give it a shot when you are in the mood for a comedy that offers a little bit more.

For another comedy about a man gifted extraordinary powers, try Bruce Almighty. For a bittersweet drama about the course of a man’s life, try Stranger than Fiction. For a time travel comedy with even richer themes, try Groundhog Day. For a science fiction movie with a similarly retrospective tone, try Bicentennial Man. For a classic tale that deals with similar themes, try one of the adaptations of A Christmas Carol.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389860/). I give it a 7.0 for an original story drawn in broad but effective strokes.

Today’s quick review: Bedtime Stories. Skeeter Bronson (Adam Sandler), an underappreciated hotel handyman, gets in touch with his creative side when his sister Wendy (Courteney Cox) asks him to take care of her son Patrick (Jonathan Morgan Heit) and daughter Bobbi (Laura Ann Kesling) for the week. Skeeter entertains the children by telling them imaginative bedtime stories, only to find their events coming true in his own life.

Bedtime Stories is a family comedy adventure about a man making up stories for his niece and nephew. Adam Sandler stars as Skeeter, once promised the chance to run Barry Nottingham’s (Richard Griffiths) hotel and now reduced to running errands for Kendall (Guy Pearce), Nottingham’s favorite. Bedtime Stories injects some fantasy into Skeeter’s mundane life as the stories he makes up start to come true, giving him a way out of his predicament.

Bedtime Stories does not have a clear audience in mind. The real-world setup is geared towards adults, with a plot that involves Wendy losing her job, Skeeter trying to impress his boss, and all kinds of subtler disappointments in life. At the same time, Skeeter’s bedtime stories are clearly meant to appeal to kids, flights of fancy with minimal plot that are there to add some color and wonder to the challenges Skeeter faces in real life.

The result is a movie that never figures out what it is meant to be. The sense of magic is hobbled by the fact that Skeeter’s fantasy world serves as an outlet for his job troubles rather than standing on its own. The more realistic themes the movie tries to explore are undercut by the childlike plot logic and reliance on random events. As such, an otherwise charming premise gets lost in the noise.

Bedtime Stories works better on paper than it does in practice. Fans of Adam Sandler’s down-to-earth style of comedy will get something out of it, as will viewers who like the crossover between mundane reality and flights of fancy. But even though it has the makings of a tender, imaginative story, Bedtime Stories’ unclear vision keeps it from having the full effect it wants to.

For a family comedy with a similar setup, check out Mr. Popper’s Penguins. For a more fulfilling adventure about a daydreamer, check out The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. For a more enduring bedtime story, try The Princess Bride. For a more inventive exploration of the power of story, try The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.

[6.0 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0960731/). I give it a 5.5 for a charming but misplaced premise.