While
filming Big Daddy, ex-SNL funny man Adam Sandler learned that the success of The
Waterboy would put him in the $20 million dollar club. Thankfully, Big Daddy is
a big step up from the soggy Water Boy.
Sandler
stars as Sonny, a lovable, yet lazy man who spends his days living off a settlement
check. To salvage his relationship with his girlfriend, he adopts a boy to prove
how responsible he is. The film is very calculated and serves up a hokey courtroom
finale, but it still has Sandler's goofy charm. He even attempts to stretch himself
as an actor, and at times, it almost works.
Most
of the films biggest laughs are given away in the coming attractions trailer,
but it still has a few more bright moments. The film was directed by Dennis Dugan
(who also directed Happy Gilmore) and he's not too concerned with anything but
getting laughs from the audience. Throughout most of the film, he is successful.
Rounding out the cast are Joey Lauren Adams (Chasing Amy), Rob Schneider (SNL),
Jon Stewart (The Daily Show), and twins Cole and Dylan Sprouse as the precious
9 year old adoptee.
Big
Daddy is breezy, summer entertainment that turns out much better than The Waterboy,
but has only half the charm of The Wedding Singer and half the laughs of Billy
Madison and Happy Gilmore. Still, it's a fun time.
