Some random morning in 2012/13, I can’t quite remember for sure. But I do remember I didn’t have to go to school that day. I’d woken up early and had nothing to do (I was a busy kid xD, just free that day) and I just turned on the TV and tuned into HBO. And I saw this goofy-comedy actor I’d seen here and there crying on a scene as his son is taken away by social services. I was intrigued and checked the TV guide. I’d missed two thirds of the film and we only had the climax left to go.
But, like I said, it was around 2012. And that meant HBO in India did not really have the broadcast rights to a lot of films. That meant, one of these other mornings, I would be able to catch this film completely. And I did. Multiple times. It was every bit of goofy-fun that Adam Sandler films had (yes, by now I’d learnt his name) but the whacky-ness was turned down and the father-sun emotion had surfaced just the right amount for a Sandler film.
Without giving much away, Sandler plays a no-good mid-30s man-child living with his law school buddy. No one respects him, to be honest, his dad mostly though. And the guy he spends the most time with is his regular delivery guy. One random day, this kid shows up at his front door with a letter saying his mum cannot take care of him anymore and so the father has to step up.
Thing is, Sandler isn’t the father, his buddy is! But he lies to social services and takes custody of the kid. Also his girlfriend leaves him for a 60 year old grandpa as he’s more “accomplished”. Damn, I guess I gave away mostly everything xD! Anyway, don’t read that with a serious tone. It’s still an Adam Sandler movie!
Oh also, that kid is played by Cole Sprouse and Dylan Sprouse. For you freaky Archie fans, thats one brother who played Jughead in the psycho version Riverdale. Now if you skipped that show, good for you, you’ll recognise them from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody! No bells yet? Geez, it’s Ben from Friends yo!
Anyway, its not like I reviewed this film. So why’d I even start writing this? Because for some reason Netflix decided to push this onto my banner this week. And I could not not watch it! This was one of my favourite comfort films for a couple of years there. And it was after this that I went all in on Sandler’s filmography. That took me over to Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, Steve Buscemi, Kevin James and by a long thread Ben Stiller! All whacky comics! But sometimes in there, when you expect it the least, they hit you with a spear of emotions. Like the rainfall scene in Click! I felt my heart sink there.
I’ve gone off-track. I’ll bring it in for the close here. A grown man teaching a toddler to pee on a building, trip roller skaters, and never to shower undo each of those things as he falls in love with the kid as each day passes, is a story at least I’m a sucker for. Watch this film, you won’t regret it!
PS: Oh, and don’t make the mistake 12-yr old me did and think Sandler is a one-trick pony. Watch Uncut Gems. You’ll know! 😉
