I’ve got problems with Funny People, I kind of hated I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, and I really loathed Spanglish. But you know who I’ve come to love? Adam Sandler. Yes, this guy:
Who knew, back in his days celebrating aggressive infantilism in Billy Madison, that the guy who warbled ‘The Chanukah Song’ on SNL would tap so boldly into his inner fury in daring stuff like Punch-Drunk Love, Anger Management, and Click? Or his commit to serious sadness in Reign Over Me? Or celebrate the proud, sweet tribe member in him in You Don’t Mess with the Zohan?
Who knew that satisfying marriage in middle age and his obvious pleasure as the father of two little girls would be so liberating? The projects Sandler chooses are all over the place, and when he slips into the familiar old warbly voice of a simpleton that was his comedic default for so many years, I still want to put his act on mute.
But in Funny People, his voice is rich and strong.
You agree, or are you one of those purists who miss him as dimwitted Bobby Boucher, Jr., in The Waterboy?
Reign Over Me was the best movie Adam Sandler has ever done but I do have a special place in my heart for The Wedding Singer
I thought he was PERFECTLY utilized in “Punch Drunk Love”, but I’m also a fan of “Happy Gilmore”, “The Waterboy” and “The Wedding Singer.”
Personally, I like to see him do both. I’d like to see him continue to make unexpected choices (ocassionally in a serious role) mixed in with stuff that’s more in his wheelhouse. Nothing wrong with dancing with the one that brought ya here.
Good!
billy madison is actually one of my fave movies. it makes me laugh, and sometimes it doesnt matter if its a “good” movie, you just need 2 smile.
I thought I hated Adam Sandler’s schtick. Then I was pleasantly surprised by his role choices in recent years, proving that he was more than the annoying man-child. Reign Over Me was fantastic. And now I usually stop flipping channels when one of his old flicks is on (Big Daddy was the most recent) and watch the whole darn thing, laughing despite my previous loathing. I don’t understand! I guess I’ve grown to LIKE Adam Sandler, and I’ll just have to get over it.