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Is Adam Sandler funny?

Paz Vega, Téa Leoni and Adam Sandler in Spanglish
  • Posted at 11:00am
  • 10 October 2008
  • by AndrewCollins-RT
  • 17 comments

I don't hate Adam Sandler. That's too strong a word.

I reserve my hate for murderous totalitarian regimes and people who talk in the gym.

But I think it's accurate to say that I can't stand Adam Sandler. His presence in a film is enough to send me running for the hills with my fist rammed into my mouth.

Needless to say, I won't be making an appointment to view Spanglish this week, despite the fact that it was directed by James L Brooks (Broadcast News, The Simpsons Movie) and that it's the film in which Sandler supposedly tones down his second-hand Jerry Lewis antics.

What can't I stand about him?

His chipmunk face. His vacant grin. His nasal voice. His propensity to play the dunce at least once a year, each comedy apparently demanding less from his shallow puddle of talent.

He's a rich 42-year-old; his films have grossed a cumulative $1.5 billion – ranging from stupid golf comedy Happy Gilmore to stupid American football comedy The Waterboy.

If you find the sight of him sobbing through a rendition of Madonna's Holiday in the 1980s-set Wedding Singer the height of hilarity, I respect you for that.

But surely we all have a star who sets our teeth on edge and makes us shift uncomfortably in our seat.

Sandler is a former stand-up comedian (sample gag: "I finished a big book the other day – 421 pages, that's a lot of colouring") and an alumnus of Saturday Night Live.

By my reckoning, that fabled US sketch show produces one great big-screen comedian (John Belushi, Bill Murray, Ben Stiller) to every two duff ones (Chris Farley, Martin Short, Rob Schneider, Damon Wayans, Adam Sandler).

It's said his clownish persona hides acting depths, as in the post-9/11 drama Reign over Me where his muttering and motorised skateboard fooled some – but not me.

I appreciate that he will lose no sleep over my disapproval, but it's great to get it off my chest and share it with the group.

Should anyone ever cast him opposite Nicole Kidman, I may hand in my badge.

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Comments

  • Posted on 29 August 2009
  • at 12:22am
  • by Mister Tee

Adam Sandler, where to begin? A diabolically unfunny example of positive discrimination in Hollywood. I sometimes think two movie producers got together one day and decided to have a bet: let's find someone with no charisma, no talent, no prescence, smug, self-satisfied, instantly dislikable, and let's try to pass him off as a star. A bit like in Trading Places. They must be having a good chuckle that people pay to see his movies. Then they upped the bet to Seth Rogan, Judd Apatow... etc

  • Posted on 26 April 2009
  • at 3:40am
  • by Rob

He's on a short list of "comedians" that I think don't belong in comedy, but as much as I hate the idea of them making a living in Comedy, I shudder at the thought of them doing something that requires more responsibility.

  • Posted on 05 April 2009
  • at 7:45pm
  • by Mark

He's not a particularly impressive actor definitely. But I have seen several films starring him, and he's always played the lead buffoon of a character. I've liked a couple of his films (i.e. Click, 50 First Dates) but stuff like "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" is unwatchable.

I wouldn't say he's a bad actor, he's just kind of alright I guess.

  • Posted on 03 February 2009
  • at 2:09pm
  • by Kath

Adam sandler is just not funny, i smile or let out a giggle at only a few points in most of his films.

so a sgree with you there.

I'm sorry to say that when it comes to reign over me and punch-drunk love i'm on a different page.

i absolutly adore those films, they actually changed my whole veiw on Sandler and i finally began to see him as an actor rather than a goofy idiot.

still adam continues to make these stupid so called comedy films, which angers me alot. is it that he can't be bothered to make somethign great again?

None the less, those two films will always be in my top favourites. I'll be looking out for what other gems we can get out of him.

  • Posted on 03 January 2009
  • at 12:40am
  • by Ralph Heinz

I have NEVER seen another actor or their movies baing pushed on TV as much as I have seen Adam Sandler's. He is Unfunny, yet ANYTIME you turn on the Tv there are atleast 2 or more movies of him playing. I habe often wondered why ? and who it is that supports and watches the material he keeps dishing out year after year.

  • Posted on 07 December 2008
  • at 1:49am
  • by Christine

You have to admit, all actors make bad movies from time to time and it's a choice each of us has to choose to see them. But Adam Sandler was very sexy in 50 First Dates. He did anything he could to keep a girl falling in love with him every day. That movie showed him at a more serious actor. Remember, you have to take any movie for what it is…a movie, and they are here to "entertain" us. For Dan above, Click and Mr. Deeds were also good movies. In Mr. Deeds, he was a very caring person, and only a little funny. All of us can pick some actor we don't like, but look at it this way, we still made them rich.

  • Posted on 07 December 2008
  • at 1:49am
  • by Christine

You have to admit, all actors make bad movies from time to time and it's a choice each of us has to choose to see them. But Adam Sandler was very sexy in 50 First Dates. He did anything he could to keep a girl falling in love with him every day. That movie showed him at a more serious actor. Remember, you have to take any movie for what it is…a movie, and they are here to "entertain" us. For Dan above, Click and Mr. Deeds were also good movies. In Mr. Deeds, he was a very caring person, and only a little funny. All of us can pick some actor we don't like, but look at it this way, we still made them rich.

  • Posted on 17 November 2008
  • at 8:19pm
  • by Finn

I concur with A.C, I find Sandler painfully unfunny. Just how does he keep getting away with it?!

  • Posted on 03 November 2008
  • at 6:15pm
  • by Bill

Adam Sandler is so funny!! dont see how u down like him... HILLARIOUS!!!

  • Posted on 15 October 2008
  • at 6:37pm
  • by bethnoir

I agree with you about Adam Sandler, but what's wrong with Nicole Kidman?

  • Posted on 13 October 2008
  • at 2:02pm
  • by Rosiepop

Nick Cage sets my teeth on edge.

He has no acting range whatsoever and plays exactly the same character in every film he is in.

If you see one film with him in, you think "wow, he's fantastic". Then you see another and feel mildly let down then by the time you've seen a third or fourth you realise you've been tricked into believing the man is an actor.

A bit like Christoper Eccleston actually

  • Posted on 13 October 2008
  • at 2:02pm
  • by Rosiepop

Nick Cage sets my teeth on edge.

He has no acting range whatsoever and plays exactly the same character in every film he is in.

If you see one film with him in, you think "wow, he's fantastic". Then you see another and feel mildly let down then by the time you've seen a third or fourth you realise you've been tricked into believing the man is an actor.

A bit like Christoper Eccleston actually

  • Posted on 13 October 2008
  • at 12:27pm
  • by Dan

James; as I mentioned, Sandler was very good in Punch Drunk Love. I certainly won't be watching the likes of Click and Mr Deeds, based on the reviews I've read, though.

  • Posted on 12 October 2008
  • at 6:34pm
  • by James

Dan, you don't have to have You Don't Mess with the Zohan in your life. You can spend your entire existence never having to deal with the fact that Adam Sandler makes movies - just don't go to see them. And does it really adversely affect anyone at all if he turns out to be a good serious actor? If he makes a universally acclaimed serious movie then simply stay away from the cinema and don't rent the DVD, it's your loss.

  • Posted on 11 October 2008
  • at 12:49pm
  • by Pippy

About the only good thing I can think of about Adam Sandler was the Awesomo - 5000 script robot on South Park.

"Errr...Adam Sandler...finds a remote control...and its magic...and controls reality"

Oh wait that was a real film.

  • Posted on 10 October 2008
  • at 6:15pm
  • by Shiny McShine

I also have some actors I hate - Ben Affleck and Reese Witherspoon to name but two. Ben Affleck is a smug get. Reese Witherspoon has only three facial expressions.

  • Posted on 10 October 2008
  • at 3:31pm
  • by Dan

Yeah, I have to agree. I avoid his movies like the plague. They're just variations on the same basic thing. How long can he play the angry goofball before it becomes weird? 50 is surely the absolute cut-off point. Mind you, he was very good in Punch-Drunk Love. A shame he didn't think to capitalize with more straight acting. I can do without the likes of You Don't Mess With Zohan in my life.

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