The marketing for this movie made Jack look like the psychotic one ("I SAID OVER EASY!!!"), but his role is quite the opposite. Jack plays a subtle, calm, and collected doctor who slowly but surely pushes Sandler to reveal his anger (which is used to great potential in the Monk scene, but that's it). Had I known Jack's handle on the role before I walked into the movie, I may have liked it a little more. I was expecting Jack in a role crazier than his "Joker" (anyone remember 'Batman'???). Gripe aside, Jack is very amusing and nearly steals the screen from Sandler. Tuturro and Guzman aren't given a lot of time to expand their characters to nothing more than borderline offensive stereotypes. The supporting characters are more or less walk-on roles.
"Anger's" laughs roll out slow but it begins to pick up momentum when Buddy (Nicholson) moves in with Dave (Sandler). This didn't seem like a Sandler movie. There were cameos, yes. Some were really bad (Ted Knight can't be himself) and good ones (Woody Harrelson never looked so weird) There was no crazy, oddball humor like "Waterboy" or "Happy Gilmore". This is a movie that is more palatable to Nicholson fans. Is Sandler playing the same nice guy character with rage? Yes, but to extent. Sandler never really takes off with his anger. He just makes constipated faces and curses. Do Sandler and Nicholson have chemistry? Yes. The ending may leave you either angry or just plain boggled but it's nothing to whine over. This is a comedy, not "Vanilla Sky." The movie won't bring belly laughs. There were times when I laughed because couldn't believe Nicholson was saying or doing things that were in reference to his past.
For Sandler, this seems like "Punch Drunk Love" -- the goofy comedy. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but it's not as laugh out loud as it could have been.
Don't go in expecting Jack losing his cool because he doesn't. Don't go in expecting Sander beating up people "Happy Gilmore"-style (with the exception of the monk scene). I'm mixed on my verdict. This is Sandler's most 'mature' comedy since 'Billy Madison.' There's singing, there's some weird stuff (Jack's fried hair), but Sandler's unique touch of humor seemed to have been lost in the editing room. This is Sandler lite. If you want his brand of craziness, nothing tops "Little Nicky." Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad film at all. There are laughs to be found in "Anger". Probably the funniest film so far this year. In terms of Sandler, it seems like he's holding back. As for Jack? He's great in this, psychotic free. I'll have to watch this once again, now knowing what I know. That damn marketing department.
"Anger's" laughs roll out slow but it begins to pick up momentum when Buddy (Nicholson) moves in with Dave (Sandler). This didn't seem like a Sandler movie. There were cameos, yes. Some were really bad (Ted Knight can't be himself) and good ones (Woody Harrelson never looked so weird) There was no crazy, oddball humor like "Waterboy" or "Happy Gilmore". This is a movie that is more palatable to Nicholson fans. Is Sandler playing the same nice guy character with rage? Yes, but to extent. Sandler never really takes off with his anger. He just makes constipated faces and curses. Do Sandler and Nicholson have chemistry? Yes. The ending may leave you either angry or just plain boggled but it's nothing to whine over. This is a comedy, not "Vanilla Sky." The movie won't bring belly laughs. There were times when I laughed because couldn't believe Nicholson was saying or doing things that were in reference to his past.
For Sandler, this seems like "Punch Drunk Love" -- the goofy comedy. It doesn't take itself too seriously, but it's not as laugh out loud as it could have been.
Don't go in expecting Jack losing his cool because he doesn't. Don't go in expecting Sander beating up people "Happy Gilmore"-style (with the exception of the monk scene). I'm mixed on my verdict. This is Sandler's most 'mature' comedy since 'Billy Madison.' There's singing, there's some weird stuff (Jack's fried hair), but Sandler's unique touch of humor seemed to have been lost in the editing room. This is Sandler lite. If you want his brand of craziness, nothing tops "Little Nicky." Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad film at all. There are laughs to be found in "Anger". Probably the funniest film so far this year. In terms of Sandler, it seems like he's holding back. As for Jack? He's great in this, psychotic free. I'll have to watch this once again, now knowing what I know. That damn marketing department.