I
have to admit that I am a huge fan of Adam Sandler. Of all his films, Little Nicky
and The Waterboy are the only two I didn't give favorable reviews to. I was pretty
excited for Anger Management. Not only for Sandler, but for Jack Nicholson as
well. I mean Sandler and Nicholson in the same film? It had to be good, didn't
it? The trailers have been hilarious, and the two stars are just off some of their
best work (Punch Drunk Love for Sandler and About Schmidt for Nicholson). There
was no way this movie could suck.
Sadly,
this is a film that is mediocre at best. It certainly isn't aweful like Little
Nicky, but it isn't as consistently funny as his better stuff.
In
the farce, Sandler plays a young man who, on an extraordinarily bad day, gets
sent to an anger management session run by a doctor (Jack Nicholson) known for
his unusual techniques. Before long, Nicholson is rooming with Sandler in an attempt
to weed-out all those nasty anger demons. In his words, "Your temper is the
only thing you can't control by losing it."
Sandler
doesn't depend on an annoying accent and he's surprisingly subdued throughout
most of the film. It's everything around him failed so remarkably. Jack Nicholson
is....well...Jack Nicholson. This is one of those movies in which the veteran
actor's trademark arched eyebrow and devilish grin are on full display. Marisa
Tomei also appears as Sandler's loving girlfriend, and it was amusing watching
her succumb to Nicholson's charms.
Anger
Management also boasts a notable cameo roster that includes; John Turturro, John
C. Reilly, Heather Graham, Woody Harrelson, and Kevin Nealon..
Sadly,
this stellar cast doesn't add up to a whole heck of a lot because the premise
just isn't strong enough to hold up for 90 minutes. Sure, Anger Management has
funny moments. You can't help but smile when Sandler and Nicholson sing "I
Feel Pretty" while stuck in a traffic jam. Unfortunately, throughout I found
myself working on my issues of Boredom Management.
Mostly,
this film just serves up one absurd, over-the-top situation after another, as
Sandler becomes increasingly angry while trying to tame his rage. And while the
movie does have an explanation for each absurdity, that is perhaps the most absurd
aspect of the film. I don't want to give anything away, but as I watched this,
I couldn't help but be reminded of a certain David Fincher film.
Anger
Management is sporadic at best. It certainly offers up laughs, but it lacks the
energy and consistent humor of Happy Gilmore, the pure charm of Wedding Singer,
and the depth of Punch Drunk Love. Sandler is strictly out to entertain and I
can respect that. Sadly, he and Nicholson can't manage to take this one joke movie
to a higher level.
