THE DO-OVER

US, 2016, 108 minutes, Colour.

Adam Sandler, David Spade, Paula Patton, Kathryn Hahn, Nick Swardson, Matt Walsh, Renée Taylor, Sean Astin, Natasha Leggerp, Luis Guzman, Michael Chiklis, Torsten Voges. Jackie Sandler.

Directed by Steven Brill.

An Adam Sandler comedy, 20 years after Happy Gilmore. By this stage, Adam Sandler had consolidated his reputation and career in comedy as well as several serious roles for which she was praised, Anger Management, Punch Drunk Love. This was a collaboration with Netflix and from that time his company provided a succession of comedies, some serious dramas (Uncut Gems), the Murder Mystery series…

If this was the first Adam Sandler film that anyone saw, it would be most probable that they would never want to see another. Devotees of this film might find a lot to amuse. However, most audiences would be put off. There is an element of plot here, two men, one ill, the other henpecked, renew the friendship from school days and decide that they will take on the identities of two other characters and live a comfortable life. Basically, they do did this but, unfortunately for them, the characters they assume were involved in all kinds of financial swindles and violence.

One of the difficulties with this film is that the Adam Sandler character is minimally sympathetic – more sympathy for the David Spade character. And, there is quite a crassness about the character development, aspects of behaviour, some gross sexuality, incessant course language and profanities, not necessary and quite offputting.

While there are some moments of Sandler talent, and, eventually, a certain amount of sympathy for his illness, and, of course, quite a twist in the financial and violent drama it is not enough to satisfy an audience, an audience with some good taste and standards.