I went into this one wondering if the world needed another Adam Sandler man/child comedy. Even with the worst of intentions or my only intention being that I meant to hate the movie, I have to admit it was better than expected. Rats! It ruined my pretty long streak of hating all Adam Sandler movies. I’m sure the streak will start again with his next one, but until then I guess I’m an Adam Sandler fan…groan…
While in high school and playing on the basketball team Eric (Kevin James – from television’s King of Queens), Marcus (David Spade – from television’s Rules of Engagement), Lenny (Adam Sandler – 50 First Dates, The Waterboy), Rob (Rob Schneider – Deuce Bigelow: Male Gigolo, You Don’t Mess With the Zohan), and Kurt (Chris Rock – Madagascar, The Longest Yard) they win the championship together at St. Mark’s in 1978.
Now 30 years later they all get a call that Coach Buzzer (Blake Clark – Toy Story 3, Leatherheads) has died. They are still friends, but haven’t seen each other for quite a while. Lenny is a high profile movie producer, Kurt is a stay-at-home dad, Marcus is still single, Eric is the co-owner of a lawn furniture company, and Rob is a new age practitioner who is married to a much older woman (Joyce Van Patten – The Bad News Bears, Marley & Me). Once they reunite at the funeral it is like no time has passed and they are teasing each other and joking continuously.
Lenny has rented the cottage they used to stay at when they were young for the weekend for all five families to spend some time together. The guys are not too happy when Lenny tells them he has to leave before the weekend is over to accompany his wife (Selma Hayek – Frida, Once Upon a Time in Mexico) to fashion week in Milan. They convince him to stay long enough to spread Coach’s ashes.
Over the course of their time together the problems of each man comes out and the bond that was there 30 years ago proves itself to be just as strong. And it spreads on to their families.
Yes, the film is totally predictable, but there is something likeable about this type of silly little film. Maybe it is because it does not pretend to be anything other than what it is. It just wants to make the viewer laugh and does not aspire to want to bring about world peace. Sandler and his buddies Chris Rock, Rob Schneider and David Spade allow newcomer to the group, Kevin James to tag along for the ride. The plot is not too deep and the jokes are pretty superficial and through today’s lens, occasionally offensive. That being said, I laughed plenty and felt good after watching it. That is the best thing you can expect from a film like this.
There are times that you body craves junk food. Well, Sandler films are like that. Under the right circumstances you can like his films. If you liked all the other Adam Sandler feel-good movies then you will enjoy this one as well.
The film is available to watch on Netflix.