Displaying items by tag: Adam Sandler

JAY KELLY

US, 2025, 132 minutes, Colour.

George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup, Laura Dern, Patrick Wilson, Riley Keogh, Jim Broadbent, Stacey Keach, Josh Hamilton, Isla Fisher, Louis Partridge, Eve Hewson, Emily Mortimer, Greta Gerwig.

Directed by Noah Baumbach.

A Behind the Scenes story. Or, better, a Behind the Facades story.

Late in this portrait of a very successful film star, someone comments that he is a very good film star – but, as we have seen, there is an implication: is he a good father? Is he a good person?

George Clooney himself is a significant film star. Which means that many audiences will be wondering how his portrayal of Jay Kelly is close to the reality of George Clooney himself. Because Clooney has proven himself quite a genial screen presence over the decades, they will be comfortable enough in looking at Clooney playing a very self-focused, self-satisfied star, inadequate father, quite an unpleasant person in so many ways. (Some bloggers who don’t take to Clooney have considered this film a vanity project – but, it was written and directed by Noah Baumbach, not by Clooney himself.)

One of the successful ways in communicating how Jay Kelly ticks and how his being challenged is in the portrayal of his agent, adviser, friend, continual refuge, Ron. Over the years Adam Sandler has had extraordinary success in very broad comedies. But, now and again, he takes on a serious role. And this is one of his best. He is a wheeler dealer as an agent, very successful. But, he does have a personal life, past regrets, now happy marriage and children. He has sacrificed so much of his life for Jay Kelly and we, and he, wonder how long this can go on.

The film opens with the final sequence of the making of a film, showing Kelly in action, expertly, and all the hustle and bustle of production. Then the news of the death of an old friend who gave him a start, played by Jim Broadbent, but soon indications of a self-focus rather than generosity of spirit. Then he encounters an old friend from acting school. They go for a drink – and a wonderful scene with Billy Crudup dramatising an emotional reading of the menu! But again, unpleasant revelations about Jay Kelly and his career.

Kelly has two daughters – the younger on a trip in France to Italy and Kelly deciding that he will follow his daughter on the train and go to a tribute to himself in Tuscany. At the end of the film, there is a perceptive sequence, an emotional conversation between himself and his older daughter, Riley Keogh.

This is a rather long film and there is all kinds of interesting detail for those caught up in Kelly’s life and career and this challenge to him. Suddenly Stacey Keach turns up as his curmudgeon father, no paternal feelings whatsoever. Patrick Wilson appears as a film star who employs Ron and is firing him… Plenty of episodes to keep the interest.

A highlight with Jay Kelly on the train and his communicating enjoyably with the passengers is a snatch and grab of her purse from an old lady by a German cyclist, his getting off the train and Jay Kelly in pursuit – and, of course, instantly on the Internet. There are the hosts of the festival in Tuscany and their Italian enthusiasm.

Noah Baumbach has worked many years in the film industry. And he is married to Greta Gerwig (who appears briefly as Ron’s wife), working with her in her very successful movie venture, Barbie. Which means that he has a great deal to draw on in taking us behind the scenes, behind the facades.

1. The title, the entire focus on Jay Kelly, has film star, as actor, his real personality?
2. The choice of George Clooney for the role, George Clooney’s reputation, impact as film star, an Oscar, critical applause, his public persona? Audience response to George Clooney, favourable, accepting in this role, some reflection of his own life and career?
3. The film taking us behind the scenes, filmmaking and the opening sequence and his performing the death scene, with the dog, wanting more takes, the response of the director? The detail of the film on set, the various people present, cast, director, producer, writer, their interventions?
4. The film taking us behind the facade of Jay Kelly? The public response, star, fans, people approaching him, on the train and his entertaining the passengers, the tribute in Tuscany, his visit, the hosts, the celebration?
5. His dependence on Ron, Adam Sandler’s performance? Ron, the manager, the agent, promoter, his skills, being busy, his clientele, the time given to Jay Kelly? And the percentage fee? Friendship and support? How deep the friendship? On the part of each?
6. Ron, the plan for the next film, the Lewis brothers, Ron and his hopes, Liz as longtime publicist, her assistant, interventions?
7. The background of Peter, his death, Jay’s memories, Tim and the audition, Peter giving him the chance, promoting him, financial difficulties, asking his help, the meal together, Jay’s refusal, not seeing Peter? The impact of his death? Going to the funeral? His son’s speech?
8. The meeting with Tim, not seeing each other for years, Tim and his work with children, meeting Jay, the cup of coffee, Jay deciding to go, their talk, the memories, the audition? Jay asking Tim to read the menu, the tour-de-force rendition of the menu by Tim, his talent? Tim declaring his hatred, the fight? Jay and his black eye? Tim and his injuries, hospital, the possibilities for suing?
9. The visualising of the audition episode, the friendship, Jay reading for Tim, Tim’s poor audition, Jay asking to read, Peter’s agreement, his getting the part, his career?
10. Jay and his marriages, his daughters, Jessica and her living in San Diego, distance from her father? Daisy, meeting with her, her boyfriend, going to Paris, the jazz festival, not wanting to spend time with her father?
11. Jay, the aftermath of the interlude with Tim, consulting with Ron, Ron, his wife and family, playing tennis, the importance, the match, the phone call, Jay and his demands on Ron, Ron going?
12. The issue of the tribute in Tuscany, the initial refusal, change of mind, Ron and the deals, his other client getting a tribute? Getting on the train, the difficulties, the hassles? Jay being recognised, the reactions, the range of passengers, the old lady being charmed, the two priests and their continual reappearing? The episode with the German cyclist, snatching the bag, jumping off the train, Jay’s pursuit, the hard run, the fight, Jay retrieving the bag? The passengers or following, a claim, and on social media?
13. And the contrast with social media, Tim and his injuries, Jay and violence? Possibilities for suing? Ron, contacts, friends, interventions, settling the case?
14. Liz, on the train, memories of the past with Ron, the separation, Liz and exasperation, getting off the train?
15. Daisy on the train, the encounter with Jay, his tracking her through phones, her boyfriend and his reaction, making films? The other friends? Her not wanting to go to the tribute?
16. Italy, the hosts, the Festival, the cheery driver and her response to Jay? Ben Alcock present, his career, his family present, the large family? His having a drink with Ron, talking about his career, firing Ron? The repercussions for Ron?
17. Jay’s relationship with his father, neglect, inviting his father to the tribute, his arrival, taking over, his personality, jokes and talk, his turn, and his decision not to stay, Jay following him…?
18. Jay, the dinner, the hosts? Ron and his phone calls to his wife? Sitting with Jay, the retrospective (and the use of George Clooney’s films)? The effect on Jay? Ron? The audience and applause?
19. The effect of the awards, then, the family, his wife?
20. Jake, running after the car, Ron and his leaving? Persuading him to come back?
21. Jay, in the woods, the phone call to his daughter, the device of having her present, the conversation, truth being told, his absence in her life, the flashbacks to the two daughters playing, the glimpses of him watching his children? The reality of his career and neglect?
22. Jay Kelly’s journey into self-knowledge, the glamour of his career and fame, the realities of his personality, family life and relationships, relationship with Ron? The future?

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.

HAPPY GILMORE 2

US, 2025, 114 minutes, Colour.

Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, Benny Safdie, Ben Stiller, Bad Bunny, John Daley, Dennis Dugan, Haley Joel Osment, Jackie Sandler, Sadie Sandler, Steve Buscemi, Margarette Qualley, Verne Lindquist, Post-Malone, Nick Faldo, Sergio Garcia, Charles Howell III, Scotty Scheffler, Lee Trevino, Bubba Watson, Seth Waugh, Will Sasso, Travis Kelce. Tim Herlihy, Richard Kiel, Scott Mescudi, Judith Sandler, Nick Swordson, Eminem, John Lovitz, Rob Schneider.

Directed by Kyle Newacheck.

29 years later! Happy Gilmore was one of Adam Sandler’s earliest comedies – very successful and he named his production company after him. In the meantime, Sandler has become a household name, critics not always favourable to his comedies but praising him in his serious roles, Anger Management, Punch-Drunk Love. In more recent years his films have gone straight to Netflix.

Sandler takes up his old character, often likeable, often unlikeable, having made a great success 30 years earlier with his golf skills, and his clashes with his arch rival, played by Christopher McDonald. As this film begins, there is an emotional and dramatic shock, Happy Gilmore has hit a stroke which has hit his wife, Virginia (Julie Bowen) and has killed her! This causes him a great deal of grief, drinking, collapse – but the opportunity for her to reappear in many ghostly supportive sequences. In the meantime, they have four rough and ready boys who are ready to mix it amongst themselves and with anybody else at an instant’s notice. But, there is also a daughter who is a successful dancer and has the prospect of going to study in Paris if the fees can be raised.

This gives a certain framework to a plot, Happy Gilmore dependent on drink, full of self-pity, memories of his wife. When he is persuaded to try again at golf, there are all kinds of comic misfires. But, we know that he will actually improve but, many hurdles and sandpits along the way.

In the meantime, his foe from the past, Christopher McDonald, has spent his years in an institution but is allowed out under the influence of millionaire, Frank who is setting up a rival golf organisation which could eliminate traditional golf (memories of the Saudi Arabian competition). Frank is played by director Ben Safdie. But, McDonald will not accept the terms and actually becomes one of the main good guys for the rest of the film.

There are a number of flashbacks to the past, including a scene with the late Carl Weathers as the coach and a tribute to him.

And, quite a number of characters from the past, substantial like Ben Stiller as the would-be councillor for AA meetings, comic glimpses of Richard Kiel and his diminutive mother, Judith Sandler. In fact, there are various members of the Sandler family appearing throughout the film. There are momentary glimpses of Rob Schneider, a comic sequence with John oevitz, Steve Buscemi as the bad neighbour. And, a modern touch, Margaret Qualley as a young golfer.

And, there are over 20 champion golf players making cameos here from Jack Nicholas to Rory Mc Elory. Which probably makes the film something of a must for golf aficionados.

The screenplay was written by Tim Herlihy with Adam Sandler, Herlihy having written 12 of Sandler’s films. His popular rector, Dennis Dougan, has a cameo role here. The present film has been directed by Kyle Newacheck, who directed Sandler in Murder Mystery.

Which means that any conversation about the film will focus on Sandler and his comedies and his reputation, memories of the first film, and sharing appreciation of all the guest comics who make an appearance and, more especially, all the golf celebrities.

And, on first release on Netflix, it broke the records!

SPACEMAN

US, 2024, 103 minutes, Colour.

Adam Sandler, Carey Mulligan, Paul Dano, Kunal Nayyar, Isabella Rossellini, Lena Olin.

Directed by Johan Renck.

Spaceman is certainly a generic title. It could suggest a film about space exploration. It could suggest dramatic conflicts in space. And, it could suggest a variation on a space Odyssey.

In fact, there is something of all three possibilities here.

The star is Adam Sandler, many audiences not expecting to find him in such a serious performance after his decades of comedies, broad comedies, romantic comedies. However, in collaboration with Netflix, he has appeared in some serious roles including Uncut Gems and a particularly affecting performance as a coach in Hustle.

And, it should be said at the beginning, that Adam Sandler acquits himself very well as the spaceman, Jacub.

There is a technology side of this kind of film, the vast space craft in the future, its capacity for travelling even as far as Jupiter, the enormous interiors of the craft as well as all the signs for its maintenance, progress, and communication with. And, with a huge pink cloud hovering over Earth for several years, this is also space exploration, a mission with a single spaceman, well trained and prepared, already six months out on his travel towards Jupiter to discover the nature of this pink cloud.

But, in a different kind of way, it is also something of a space Odyssey. In 1968, Stanley Kubrick brought the phrase, Space Odyssey, into our vocabulary (over a year before the 1969 moon landing). While there is a great deal of space exploration in Kubrick’s masterpiece, there is also a philosophical (even theological) probing of what is beyond human experience, the transcendent, symbolised in that film by a vast evenly planed monolith, appearing in prehistoric times, but also present and moving through the future universe. (And one can think of such films as Gravity, First Man, Ad Astra.)

But, this time the transcendent is introduced highly imaginatively, a giant spider creature tarantula-like, an alien whose community has been destroyed, who is a survivor, interested in preserving humans, learning the language, trying to understand the motivation of the exploration. He is called Hanus and is voiced persuasively by Paul Dano.

At first, Jacub is wary, hostile, but with the conversations and the questions, gradually a report between the two, Hanus and his probing, Jacob, having already experienced some personal crisis with his wife leaving him and not communicating with him, forced to look into himself, testing himself about what he really values, even risking everything to rescue Hanus.

Which means that the transcendent themes and the personal, family themes are brought together.

Carey Mulligan plays Jacub’s disaffected wife, Lena Olin has a cameo as her mother, and Isabella Rossellini has a significant cameo role as the very businesslike public relations person behind the mission.

The film has been directed by Johan Renck, prolific video music video director, also of the challenging television series, Chernobyl.

1. The title and focused? Expectations? Space exploration? A space Odyssey?
2. The director, his reputation, videos, television series, Chernobyl? Adam Sandler in the central role, audience expectations, comic, serious?
3. The vision of the future, space exploration? The strange pink cloud hovering over earth? The origins in Jupiter and beyond? The boundaries of the universe, its mystery, evolution, origins? Spacecraft and their complexities, the single spaceman? Contact with control? The visuals of the craft, space, of the mystery?
4. Jakub? The original novel, Czech Republic, keeping the characters and setting? His life, the flashbacks, relationship with his father, informant, politics, his death? A cloud hovering over him? The flashbacks and the encounters with Lenka, love, flirting, the marriage, her pregnancy, the miscarriage? His professionalism, but his absence? Always being away, next pregnancy? The decision to leave him? The videos and his memories, his not living up to them? Attempts to contact her, moving away? Her refusal, going to stay with her mother, the contacts and the excuses, the cover? The effect on him?
5. The contact on the ground, Peter, friendship, the contact, the support, the subterfuge about Lenka leaving, the press conference, Tuma and her poise, PR, covering the situation, her authority, going to visit Lenka, not communicating that she had left? The visit and talk?
6. Jakub, his vision, exploration, the mystery are science, transcendence?
7. Hanus and his appearance, the form of the spider, the visuals of the spider, size, movement, threat? Real? An alien, his voice, explanation of origins, the attack, adrift, learning and observing about humans, language? Initial interactions with Jakub? The voice and tone to Paul Dano?
8. Lenka, the present, her reaction to Jakub, leaving, the message, going to see her mother, her mother support, the pregnancy, memories of happy days, the miscarriage, sadness, Jakub and his absences? The appeal to her to make contact?
9. Hanus, his presence, Jakub’s initial reaction, fear, antipathy, the breaking down the barriers, the pace to suit with Hanus, the talk, the revelation, the cosmic dimensions, origins, the interactions between the two, companionship, emotions, Hanus in space, Jakub and the rescue? The effect of Hanus always referring to Jakub as “skinny human”.
10. The breaking of the mission, the change in Jakub, the journey becoming personal? And the commitment to Hanus?
11. The robbery with the South Koreans, mentioning them, the pursuit, the rescuing Jakub and his working with them?
12. His future, possible reconciliation?
13. A 21^st-century variation on a space Odyssey?

LEO

US, 2023, 102 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Alison Strong, Jo Koy, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler.

Directed by Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim.

Leo is a benign lizard, who learns that a lizard’s lifespan lasts till 75 and his animal friends do a calculation that he is now 74. Leo and his turtle friend, Squirtle, are pets in the classroom in a primary school. As they chat to each other, voicing their observations on the new children at the beginning of the school year, we realise that they are quite astute judges of character, able to read the children very quickly, discern the qualities, comment on the burdens each child is carrying.

Actually, this is quite amusing, all in rather bright animation, quite an amount of singing, even in the opening credits, throughout the film, entertaining jingle kind of music with lyrics that comment on the characters.

And Leo is a funny-voiced Adam Sandler. Squirtle is voiced by Bill Burr.

Young children will be able to identify with the school group here, each child quite idiosyncratic – but about to discover something of their real selves with the aid of Leo. Leo is a benign do-gooder. The class teacher goes on maternity leave and a harridan arrives in her place, out with technology, in with huge books, discipline, demerits… And ruling that a child has to take one of the pets home for the weekend.

They choose Leo and are surprised to discover that he talks. And, he befriends them, challenges them, supports them, gives them a better vision of themselves – but they are to keep it all secret. A good part of the film shows Leo and his techniques, the effect on the children, their better selves.

There are some humorous situations, funny characters – and, of course, some mildly rude jokes. And there is a very active drone character!

There are quite some complications with the new teacher, Leo even having an encounter with her, remembering her when she was a girl at school. But, she has to be the villain of the piece and even with some happy self-discoveries, and the children succeeding in a competition and meriting a special outing, she decides to get rid of Leo, to fulfil his dream of visiting the Everglades, abandoning him there (and some funny sequences with fierce animals, friendly animals, and Leo a bit sophisticated for this kind of jungle life).

So, this is a happy film, happy film for children, a nicely challenging film for parents and teachers, and with the hope of a better world always possible.

Adam Sandler produced this film and his wife and two daughters voice some of the characters.

1. An entertaining animation film? For young audiences? Parents? Teachers?
2. The style of animation, the drawing of the characters, the situations, school, homes, the fair, the Everglades? Bright colours? The musical score, the insertion of all the songs, their easy tunes, the significant words?
3. Leo and Squirtle, school pets, their life, observing the children over the decades, astute in assessing characters, the conversations? Leo concerned about his age, contriving to meet all the animals and to work out how old he was – age limit of 75 and discovering he was 74? His earnestness in wanting to do something with his life? And friends in the Everglades – and their being over 100!
4. The range of children, the new class, the various types, the girl who talked incessantly, the girl with the pushy parents, the boy from the Bronx, the shy boy, the boy protected by the drone, the big bully boy…?
5. The pushy parents, the challenge to the new teacher, threats? The principal? The overprotective parents?
6. Classes, the pregnant teacher, morning sickness, leaving, the replacement teacher, old, large, severe, out with the social media, the huge times, vacuuming all the hearts and stars, the demerits?
7. Sending a pet home each weekend with the child? The reluctance, the talkative girl, at home, learning that Leo could speak, the conversations, talking about her problems, her continued talking? Each weekend, the range of children, everybody having a turn, Leo and his confiding, singing, encouraging? The effect on the children?
8. The goal of doing well in class, the reward of the trip, the children doing their best? The history pageant and the children being historical figures? Winning?
9. Leo, talking with Squirtle, long years together, the children taking Leo not Squirtlel? Leo’s disappearance, Squirtle or taking an initiative, revealing the truth, working with the drone, getting to the Everglades?
10. The lavish party, the spoilt girl, discovering her being ordinary, and the freeing of all the animals?
11. The child with the drone, the parents protective, the boy assertive against the drone, the drone’s behaviour? But Squirtle and the drone, working together, with the bus, the expedition, the rescue?
12. The teacher, talking with Leo, memories of the past, the substitute teacher, her own severity? Her ambitions? Flirting with the sports master on the bus? Harsh with children, her ambitions, putting Leo in her pocket, his not hearing the results, deceiving him, driving him to the Everglades?
13. The children at the fair, learning the truth, the Bronx boy driving the bus, into the Everglades, the confrontation with the alligators, finding the animals that the children had freed from the birthday party, thwarting the alligator by the girl talking him into submission!
14. The happy reuniting, the teacher employed by the principal for the next year – Leo and Squirtle in their tank, and the rowdy new children?
15. An entertainment with moral encouragement.