Seed NewsvineDrama Is Easy; Comedy Is Hard--The End of the Sandler Comedy
It's official: Adam Sandler comedies will suck from here on out. The days of "Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore" are long gone. That promise is empty--deserted, like Sandler's name from today's SNL roster. In the mid-90s after such displays of manic brilliance in both "Gilmore" and "Madison," the promise of the new goofy comedic lord seemed hopeful. Even with such froth like "The Wedding Singer" and "Big Daddy," a studio's announcement of the next Sandler comedy vehicle always left moviegoers with a tingle in their bellies that made them giddy with guilty excitement. The next Sandler flick could possibly rock!
Right?
Well, now it's clear: that glass is always going to be half empty. Were those two Sandler movies ("Madison," "Gilmore") just flukes?
His newest film "You Don't Mess With The Zohan" pretty much cemented this deal of damnation. It easily knocks "Jumper" off of the throne for the year's worst film--so far. To say that "Zohan" is beyond criticism wouldn't do it justice. It just doesn't make any sense thematically--or even comically.
But hasn't this day been coming? Even with the help of such Oscar-talent like Jack Nicholson and John C. Reilly in "Anger Management," Sandler always looked uncomfortable or just lost. The romantic comedies didn't help make things any easier. Anyone you know who says "50 First Dates" is acceptable comedic entertainment is simply insane, and in serious Sandler-denial. Let's not forget "Mr. Deeds" or "Little Nicky"; both are pieces of production value that make any aspiring filmmaker quiver with sickness at the idea of insane amounts of money going to the catering budgets of such atrocities.
So is Sandler himself doomed? Not at all.
So what if he gives a lukewarm turn in "Reign Over Me." At least he's trying.
Remember: when he's on--he's on. His sole Golden Globe nomination to date came from his devastating dramatic turn in 2002's masterful "Punch Drunk Love" (read about the opening scene to that film here).
As ticket prices continue to rise, those of us who own worn out copies of "Billy Madison" can only continue to hope that one day down the road, Sandler can return to prime form.
Or at least give Paul Thomas Anderson a call.
Comments
Sandler will headline the next Judd Apatow comedy, so there's hope for him in comedy yet. You're pretty much right on though. There was a time when I could at least be mildly amused by any Sandler movie, ie 50 FIRST DATES and MR. DEEDS. The saccharine, nearly depressing vitriol that was CLICK (i rented it for a buck, I promise you) pretty much turned me off Sandler comedies for good. LONGEST YARD was also painful. He needs to go the Bill Murray route.
Posted by: Rorsky | June 11, 2008 11:39 PM
Although ultimately im sorry I messed with the Zohan, I feel it deserves a little more credit then you give it. The movie contained genuine moments of silliness and absurdity that made me laugh, its just unfortunate most of these moments occured during the first 15 mins and were put on repeat for the rest of the film. The punishing repetition of this absurdist humour, along with its heavy reliance on sight gags is really what killed the film (one can take only so many hummus jokes). In a script co-written by Sandler and the usually witty Apatow, its dissapointing that the movie chose not to sharpen its comedic silliness with satire and witty dialogue. But it wasnt all bad. Sandler appeared to be having a ball hamming his performance up to a degree of infectious absurdity. And Nick Swardson had a nice turn in his role as the straight-laced bike rider, delivering some great one liners "what are you, bionic?" and "was that the motorboat?" Overall, i geuss i'd still rather see sandler in an underperforming comedy than trying to play it straight in sappy dramas which try to exploit real tragedies like Sept. 11 for box office success.
Posted by: gildog | June 12, 2008 11:09 AM