This is definitely one of the more ‘decent’ Adam Sandler movies I’ve come across, leaving out the general amount of lewd stuff that we have come to associate with his movies. And I especially loved it because of the nice wholesome message it sends across to all of us. I mean I was specifically astounded by the fact that it wasn’t a total timepass movie which was expected of it, being promoted as another Sandler movie. It was kind of different , which has certainly affected me enough to pen down my thoughts on the film.
THE CAST
Adam Sandler:aka Michael Newman A workaholic architect, who is totally consumed by the will to succeed in his work. Not very expressive about his feelings for his family , his work always takes centerstage.
Kate Beckinsale:aka Donna Newman A very understanding wife , who makes great compromises for her family but then even the best will feel the pinch at a certain stage.
Christopher Walken:aka Morty An imaginery character, an angel of death who shows Michael where he was going wrong in life.
David Hasselhoff:aka Ammer A pest of a boss to Michael, always overloading him with extra work and not giving him due credit for his efforts.
Sean Astin:aka Bill Donna’s second husband , a constant pain in the neck for Michael , reminding him of his mistakes in his early years.
Jake Hoffman:aka Ben Newman Michael’s ever dutiful son, who takes up after his father in more ways than one.
Katie Cassidy:aka Samantha Newman Michael’s daughter , about whom he has always been very protective.
What’s the movie all about?
Michael Newman, being an absolute workaholic architect , is constantly neglecting his family in favor of his work. Absolutely exasperated with his life where he can’t enjoy the things he works so hard for, he wishes very badly that he had a universal remote control which would work like a panacea for all his problems. And surprisingly, his wishful thinking does come true one day, when he comes across a certain Morty who presents him with one, or at least he thinks it has come true for the time being.
Everything seems like a bed of roses to Michael at first, he can just fast forward through all the unpleasant things in life. However he doesn’t realize that the remote automatically stores his preferences, what he has done for a long period of time or for several times. So, he now has to skip things he may have skipped a few times but wouldn’t want to anymore. In the process, he misses out on the death of his father that too after mistreating him, the death of his favorite dog and the split with his wife, Donna. He hadn’t realized that he was like a robot in experiencing things he had forwarded through, which in turn affects his marital life adversely.He wants to change things he regrets but can’t.
His wife has left him for his son’s swimming trainer, Bill and he has become grossly obese and he hates himself for being such a self-centered baboon. The stage is set for a dramatic set of events to ensue, and the best way to uncover it would be indubitably, by yourself…
THINGS ABOUT THE FILM:
What genre would I put it under?
Well, it would be action -cum- comedy I guess. I think it’s fair to say that 2/3 rds of the movie was comedy sometimes funny and sometimes beyond the point of being funny at times when you feel more disgusted than actuated to laugh. But, the good thing is, such occasions are only 2 or 3 here, a big improvement from Sandler’s previous efforts.
Then the final third becomes very intense, suddenly forcing you to take everything seriously and you might actually end up feeling sad from having some fun and laughter. Pretty effectively done though.
Acting Performances?
Besides his usual role of goofing about Adam had to put up a serious character who is a bit goofy here as his character demanded so. And it’s a real test for him when the film goes into complete histrionic mode where he has to seriously ‘play serious’. I suppose it’d be fair to say he passed the test rather satisfactorily, his portrayal of himself as a man of emotions being pretty genuine for a change.
Kate is more at home here, playing a housewife mom, less of a challenge she being both in real life for quite some time now. Does a fair job, but her role never demands much of her in the first place, even in the role of an estranged wife later on.
Walken is ok as ‘the angel of death’ but has a limited role, most of the focus being on Sandler itself.
The rest of the cast were pretty fine as well.
Direction?
I guess making Sandler act seriously for even a few moments, to give up his insouciant demeanor is itself quite some challenge and Coraci does more than a decent job here. He knew when he had to do what, where to insert what. A job well done in the end I guess.
Any special or sound effects ?
Nope, actually it’s not that kind of a movie. It essentially depends upon its plot and execution of it with Sandler taking the lead and others filling in various roles in his life.
Any messages or morals to take home?
Yes, that’s the best part of the movie actually, has become a bit of a rarity these days. It tells us that our consideration for our family should come first, as they are the ones acting as a daemon process which inspire you to succeed in the first place. In turn, if one ends up neglecting those who helped make the person one ends up being, what’s the point of achieving so much? Whom does one share it with? Himself? It is instrumental in telling us that work is important but maintaining a balance in life is most important which most professionals tend to forget.
All in all, a nice watch and leaves you with a happy feeling. If you want a light movie with some laughs and a nice message on a Sunday evening, gear up to see this one!
Directed By: Frank Coraci
Written By: Steve Koren & Mark O’Keefe