Surprisingly well done

Rating: 7/10 (26 June 2006)

After watching this movie it is clear to me that Adam Sandler does have obvious talent past obnoxious comedy. I went into the theatre half expecting a more mild version of his last production "Grandma's Boy", but I came out almost enlightened by a well blended comedy/drama that made me think. The movie does begin as any classic Sandler flick- this includes stupid (yet amusing) jokes and allusions like dogs humping stuffed animals and Sandler's ever-so-vital freaking out over nothing (i.e. "WILL SOMEBODY GET THIS KID A HAPPY MEAL" from "Big Daddy"). But after the first hour, the movie blossomed into a real think-piece. At its peak the movie almost had me in tears, let alone my excessively emotional girlfriend. As always, Cristopher Walken was great (although his weird character followed suit with many of his latest movies such as "Envy" "The Stepford Wives" and "Catch Me If You Can"). And believe it or not, David Hasselhoff was pretty funny. I give this movie a 7 out of 10 because it doesn't compare to Casablanca or Lawrence of Arabia, but if I'm comparing it to the rest of Sandler's movies, a perfect 10.