film: review

> MR. DEEDS (2002)
Sandler rehashes his usual plot again for a movie that is better than Little Nicky, but that's not saying much.

By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

Starring: Adam Sandler, Winona Ryder, and Sandler's regular supporting cast

Directed by: Steven Brill

Written by: Clarence Budington Kelland (short story Opera Hat) and
Robert Riskin (film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town)

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Our Rating: 5 out of 10

Adam Sandler is back, and luckily he doesn't have an annoying speech impediment (see Little Nicky, actually never mind). I wanted Mr. Deeds to be funny, and oftentimes it was, but as the movie progressed it really dawned on me (again) that there was nothing new here. It is starting to look like if you have seen one Adam Sandler movie you have seen them all. You know the routine: Sandler's character (here Longfellow Deeds) is a normal guy, something extraordinary happens to him (he inherits a ton of money), he meets a girl (Winona's "Babe"), somehow it gets messed up and there's a big breakup, and then everything is fine when she sees how nice of a regular guy Adam is. *Yawn*

The cast was funny, Ryder and Turturro are refreshing. However the smaller roles are again identical, and that doesn't help at all when his movies are beginning to feel tired and worn-out. By the way, remember The Wedding Singer, Big Daddy, or Little Nicky? The director of this movie wrote the latter and co-starred in the first two (as "Glenn's buddy" and "Ted" respectively). Sandler is a hell of a nice guy for letting all his friends take turns directing and writing his films, but I think he may want to go back to the beginning and start with some fresh ideas and collaborators for his future projects. His career could use it. It makes me sad to type that, but it's true.

For other fans of Sandler's (earlier) work, cross your fingers, we may have some good things to look forward to! Future films like Punch-Drunk Love and Anger Management have great potential! Punch-Drunk Love unites Sandler with a good director in P.T. Anderson (Magnolia and Boogie Nights) and Anger Management teams him with Jack Nicholson, Woody Harrelson, and Heather Graham! Adam Sandler's 8 Crazy Nights (a Christmas cartoon) I wish I could forget about after seeing the trailer.

I saw this film at the Tinseltown theaters on upper Peach Street in Erie.

PROs: It IS a Sandler movie, so there are some really funny parts!

CONs: It IS a Sandler movie, and so far that means, same old, same old (the bad is starting to outweigh the good).

(02-715)

related links:

Mr. Deeds - official site