I never thought I'd say this, but... I'm getting really bored with Adam Sandler. Every movie is an extension of Billy Madison or Happy Gilmore. Isn't Happy Madison also the name of his production company?
Let's take a look (at the ones I've seen - and I did like most of them):
Billy Madison: Adam as rich loser who annoys people then does the right thing, makes good, and gets the hot girl.
Happy Gilmore: Adam as lovable loser who annoys people then does the right thing, makes good, and gets the hot girl.
The Wedding Singer: Adam as love-scorned loser who makes good, and gets the hot girl.
The Waterboy: Adam as momma's boy loser who annoys momma then makes good, and gets the hot girl.
Big Daddy: Adam as lovable loser who annoys people then does the right thing, makes good, and gets the hot girl.
Little Nicky: Adam as son of Satan who annoys demons then does the right thing, makes good, and gets the hot girl.
Punch Drunk Love: Adam as odd, straight man who annoys the wrong people then does right thing, gets the girl but still makes odd.
Then a few "family man" movies and movies where he's the untamed ladies’ man who falls for one special "hot girl." Didn't Harlequin Romance build a mega-franchise on this premise? Sandler is smart and has made millions making formulaic mindless comedies. Respect to him for knowing what sells, that alone is a talent.
In Jack and Jill (the second 2:33 trailer in a row for me) appears to be another Happy Madison formulaic "comedy." This time, Sandler, who gets to flex his acting muscle, plays twins. The comedic Jill, twin sister of straight man, Jack. The too long trailer shows a series of gags, ranging from one-liners to slapstick - he looks terrible as a woman. The only thing that made the trailer interesting was Al Pacino's interest in Jill. It was funny, yet kind of creepy. Was this the first comedy for Pacino? Oh, Al.
So, Jack and Jill is: Twin sister of rich family man loser, annoys people then does the right thing and gets Al Pacino.
Yawn.
Brilliant summation of Sandler and his cinematic staccato. But Al – sure he’s done lots o’ (atrocious) comedies… Gigli, for one, is quite possibly the worst movie ever made (um, and not so bad it’s good – like Plan 9). It has cameos from Pacino and Christopher Walken – s’matter boys, network got something on you – or did you just sell out? I’d argue that Al sold out a long time ago. And I’d argue he hasn’t done anything worth his salt since 1975 – with Dog Day Afternoon (Note: that’s post-Godfather days). I will give him one nod for Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) but that’s probably thanks to Mamet’s brilliance and a stellar cast.
ReplyDeleteMy two (cinematic) cents…