Unlike
most critics, I actually embrace and cherish Adam Sandler films. Although I thought
The Waterboy was quite weak, I enjoyed the hell out of Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore,
The Wedding Singer, and Big Daddy. I even liked Bulletproof and Airheads. I should
also point out that I don't consider the awful Mixed Nuts to be a Sandler film.
I think the guy has a goofy charm and a hipness lacking in the current crop of
comedians-turned actors. It really disheartens me to report that Little Nicky
is a sad excuse for a movie.
The
film opens strong enough, with a hilarious cameo by Jon Lovitz as a peeping Tom.
But slowly, Little Nicky dissipates into an unfunny borefest, that only offers
hints of life and that dopey sense of humor we come to expect from Sandler. In
Sandler's defense, he's actually not as annoying as I thought he'd be, despite
that ridiculous accent. The problem lies in Sandler the screenwriter. There are
very few laughs in this picture and Sandler and his writing crew resort to cheap,
unfunny bathroom humor and a stupid talking dog. There is even a lame bit with
Hitler. Everything that seemed to work well in South Park's vision of hell fails
miserably here.
Most
of the film's best moments are provided by the slew of big name cameos; including
Reese Witherspoon, Carl Weathers (in his famous Happy Gilmore role), Henry Winkler,
Kevin Nealon, Harvey Keitel, Quentin Tarantino, Lovitz, Dana Carvey, Rob Schneider,
Tiny Lister and a laugh out loud moment featuring legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne.
Even these talented people can't keep this film afloat. Patricia Arquette is horribly
miscast in an uninspired and completely underwritten role as the love interest.
I see a potential for greatness when I look at Sandler. There were hints of it
in his sweet natured performance in The Wedding Singer. Little Nicky sure ain't
it. This is positively the worst Sandler vehicle ever, and it's a damn shame.
Watching this tedious, ill conceived comedy is like spending an eternity in hell.
