Not totally bad, but not brilliant either

Rating: 4/10 (27 October 2006)

SPOILER WARNING IN THIS: ------------------------
A really interesting concept let down by a couple of things. Firstly Adam Sandler, bless him, can't act well enough to carry out the emotional role that is required to make this film interesting. Jim Carrey, maybe - Adam Sandler, no. Secondly, the film ends (and this is the spoiler bit) with Sandler waking up and being able to rectify his problems in an "It's a Wonderful Life" kind of way (but not as good). The film should have ended with his death, but having learned a valuable life lesson (it's only the contrast with the rubbishey bits of life which make the good bits, good) and changing his son's path. End there, put Jim Carrey in it, take out the stupid "gag" lines and you've got a powerful, poignant movie. Put them in and you've got a watchable, but forgettable, movie.