2 stars out of 5
I can see movies for free on Tuesdays. So occasionally, I’ll see something on a Tuesday that I otherwise might not choose to see.
Today was such a Tuesday.
Now, Jack and Jill has been absolutely panned by critics. Still, that wasn’t a dealbreaker for me. You see, I’ve enjoyed a lot of Adam Sandler movies that were poorly reviewed. Very poorly reviewed. I’ll lump the Rob Schneider movies into this category. (I saw Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo in the theater, for god’s sake.)
But something happened to Adam Sandler. As he was seemingly losing interest in the silliest, crudest movies, he reached a crossroads. I hoped he would pursue more artful projects like Punch-Drunk Love. There have been a couple of more “serious” outings, fairly lousy in my opinion (Spanglish, Funny People. I didn’t see Reign Over Me.) Instead, he has mostly followed the Eddie Murphy path into family-friendly (or, if not, family-themed) bland mainstream “grown-up” comedies. So we’ve gotten Click. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Bedtime Stories. Grown Ups. Just Go With It. I haven’t gone to see any of these. I haven’t been happy with a Sandler movie since You Don’t Mess With the Zohan.
Which brings us to Jack and Jill. Hmmm…. family Sandler again. But… Sandler in drag. Could it be a return to the screwy Sandler of old? For free, it seemed worth a shot.
There is plenty not to like here. Rampant product placement (Pepto Bismol, Dunkin Donuts, Royal Caribbean cruises, etc.). Fart jokes. A character that is a blatant rip-off of Fred Armisen’s Fericito. Put-upon family man Sandler being grumpy throughout. And a slick Hollywood sheen to the proceedings that makes it feel kind of crummy.
But…. there are a few signs of life. Sandler in drag, doing a crazy New York voice, is occasionally amusing. (The inevitable scene of the male twin dressing as the female, not so amusing.) It’s comforting to see Sandler’s loyalty to his old pals: Norm MacDonald, David Spade, Nick Swardson, Allen Covert. Then you get a slew of cameos which feels lazy and forced but at least gives you something to look at. (The film takes place in a fantasy world where there is no NBA lockout.) And there is some goofiness here. Al Pacino really hamming it up. A (genuinely) cute kid obsessed with Scotch-taping things to himself. A moment here and there.
This isn’t a good movie. But, I couldn’t bring myself to hate it. It just didn’t feel as cynical as the ads for those mainstream movies–you know, the ones with Kevin James in them–that Sandler seems to churn out so often.
And besides, it was Tuesday.
Sounds like maybe it was worth it for free (and not a penny more).
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Love to eat…turkey…..
You too, Caren!
I’m really glad I didn’t bother to see this movie in theaters because I’m a huge fan of Adam Sandler. Although, his work hasn’t been his best lately I would hate to see it drown further down. I was hoping that Jack and Jill would be a hit but from what my friends and some of my DISH co-workers tell me, it’s not worth it. I have heard some good things about it that makes me think maybe; just maybe I will rent it. I mean if I use my Blockbuster @Home it will be like I’m getting it for free like you and be worth it right. After all if I don’t like Jack and Jill I can always watch on demands or the tons of DISH channels I get from being a DISH customer. Whatever the case is I hope that I like it!