The evolution of Adam Sandler from childlike funnyman to a more mature form of comedy continues with James L. Brooks latest film. The result is a flawed yet touching look at a fractured family and those it comes in contact with. Brooks seems to be trying to recreate Nicholson and Hunt with Sandler and Leoni, but doesn't quite make it. The result is a sitcom like situation raised above the source but not to the level of greatness.
That doesn't make it sound all that good, does it? The result is actually very good. From the understated performance from Sandler to the caricature like over-the-top antics of Leoni, to the drunk Cloris Leachman. Outside of those three, we get three wonderful performances from newcomer Paz Vega and the kids Shelbie Bruce and Sarah Steele.
You know, I've been meaning to sit down and write this review for some time now, but kept getting distracted, and now I am really in no position to review it properly. What I would like to do is take a look at s few of the performances, which have remained with me more than the plot itself.
The first thing that I liked about the film, before even getting to those performances was the structure. The entire film is told in flashback from the perspective of Flor's (Vega) daughter, Cristina (Bruce). Cristina is seeking admission to college, and in her letter she writes of her hero, her mother, and their experience with the Clasky's (Sandler and Leoni). I am not sure exactly why, but it really worked out well, giving an interesting look at the family unit.
The performances all succeeded to varying degrees. First up is Adam Sandler, in a performance that is decidedly un-Sandler-like. It is the most restrained performance that he has delivered in his career, including Punch Drunk Love, which was also understated but featured a quirkiness that signaled the Sandler presence. This time around he is very sedate, he plays the straight man. It is actually a good show, as it proves that he can step out from the Happy Gilmore type persona into a more mature calm act. At one point he is accused of being stark raving calm, and that pretty much sums it up. He plays a very likeable guy struggling with trouble of being a father and husband.
Next up is Tea Leoni. She gives a rather humorous performance, but sadly it goes too far over the top to into caricature land in her portrayal of a woman breaking down in her own personal crisis. It does provides some laughs, but it is too much of a one note performance to keep the relationship issues afloat.
Cloris Leachman plays Leoni's mother, and is the sane, if drunken influence on the Clasky family. She plays a wonderful comic foil to Leoni's antics, and also provides some of the biggest laughs of the film. She combines with Shelbie Bruce, who plays Cristina, and Sarah Steele, who plays Bernice to form a wonderful supporting cast. Both of the young girls involved do a great job at performing their roles. They form the the heart of this story.
Lastly we have newcomer Paz Vega. She puts on quite a show. It is my understanding that she is already a star in Spain, I will have to look up her past work. For now, she is in her first film in the US, and is quite a find. She plays the language barrier line beautifully, I think has to do with her expressions. She has a wonderfully expressive face and big telling eyes, I look forward to her future work in the US.
Bottomline. This is a very good film, it falls short in some areas taking a more over the top take. It is sitcom style material that Brooks brings above that level to something else. The reason to see this, is the performances, especially from Vega, and also to see a surprisingly touching film.
Recommended.
0 comments:
Post a Comment