REVIEW: Child actors steal the show in new Sandler and Aniston comedy
At the beginning of the film I was completely confused. It was the new Adam Sandler movie, all right, but the start of the film was not revealed in any preview. I didn’t understand it. Big-nosed Adam Sandler playing a character about to get married overhears his fiance making fun of him. The deal is off.
Then it proceeded to the expected, previewed storyline.
A plastic surgeon, Danny (Sandler), fully equipped with his new nose, pretends to be married in efforts to gain a new “bed prospect.” It seems to work until he meets Palmer, a hot 20-something elementary school teacher. He is completely smitten. Danny soon finds himself in a web of lies when Palmer finds his wedding band in his pants pocket. He doesn’t want to tell her the truth because according to best friend Katherine (Jennifer Aniston), he is a pig.
He somehow convinces Katherine to pretend to be his ex-wife to prove that he is not in a committed relationship anymore. He finds himself traveling to Hawaii and spending excess amounts of money all in order to win the heart of Palmer. Long story short, he spends time getting to know the perfectly attractive, super-model figure of a woman and reality slaps him in the face.
“Just Go With It” was nothing special. Was I entertained? Thoroughly. Was that partly because the guy sitting next to me repeated everything he found funny and said, “Oh, that is hilarious,” out loud? Yes.
There were times where I thought how unrealistic and far-fetched the movie was. Would someone really go that far to win over just another hottie? According to Sandler, anything is possible. I guess that is the purpose of the entertainment business: To entertain, not necessarily tell a realistic story.
Adam Sandler, with his own production company Happy Madison, typically plays the same goofy character with that potty-mouth humor. I was expecting a little of that outrageous humor Sandler is best known for but I was not expecting it to consume the movie. There were a few laughs I couldn’t help but slip out of my mouth, but Sandler is just a little much for me.
The on-screen chemistry between Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston was convincing and fun to watch. I would hope it would be up to par, especially for actors who have had years of experience.
Aniston lived up to her potential and proved to be a successful actress after her 10-year run on the hit TV show “Friends.” In fact, out of the cast she has gone the furthest in her career doing projects such as “The Switch,” “The Bounty Hunter” and “Love Happens.” Aniston has come a long way from her ‘90s Rachel character and proved to be fully committed to the role of Katherine.
Another surprise to the film that was not shown in the previews was supporting actress Nicole Kidman. She plays an old college frenemy of Katherine’s. Adding to the pool of lies, Katherine makes up her own stories of success to impress her long lost sorority sister, Devlin. Kidman added a sweet flare to this rom-com playing a stuck-up rich girl, a nice surprise. I love seeing unexpected celebrity appearances.
The children, on the other hand, are adorable and portrayed fatherless kids impeccably. Best supporting actor and actress go to, drum roll please, Bailee Madison and Griffin Gluck. Bailee has been in a few blockbusters like “Brothers” and “Bridge to Terabithia,” and Griffin is just starting out, but those two youngsters stole the show. I only wish they were onscreen more.
The acting was great. The story-line? Original. Cheesiness factor: RED HOT! Overall, a decently fun movie, if you are an Adam Sandler fan.
– Anike.pullens@aggiemail.usu.edu