Just Go With It (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
Adam Sandler. Jennifer Aniston. I think we know how 'Just Go With It' (directed by Dennis Dugan, and based on previous works, including 1969's Goldie Hawn vehicle, Cactus Flower) is going to ... well ... go. Danny (Sandler) is a successful plastic surgeon & a man who's afraid of commitment (as shown in a fairly humorous flashback segment). Being a plastic surgeon makes him extremely popular in L.A. And to deal with his commitment issues, he goes to bard/clubs, and wears a pretend wedding ring for bimbos to react to. See, said bimbos see the ring, he explains how neglected he is by his 'wife', vulnerability mixed with drinking ensues, and they fall for him. Him; being married means that a long-term relationship is off the table. One night stand. Pity f*ck. Over & out.
Danny's surgery assistant, Katherine (Aniston), doesn't approve of his bargirl ways. But the fact that she secretly pines for him allows her to deal with it. Into the plot steps Palmer (Brooklyn Decker, Andy Roddick's gorgeous model wife). She meets Danny. They connect. And now he thinks she's 'the one'. Unfortunately, she sees the ring (that he uses for his methods), & the explanation he gives her - that he & his 'wife' are getting a divorce - can't quell her concerns. So, to prove his veracity, she makes him show her his 'wife'. For his 'wife', he chooses Katherine to play the part. Part of her is revolted, part of her accepts the challenge ('cause she digs him). The deception becomes complicated, however, with the addition of Katherine's 2 children. For purposes of plot, the setting changes to Hawaii where Nicole Kidman shows up as Aniston's college rival. More lies backfire. Changes of heart occur. And hit & miss attempts at hilarity ensues.
What can I say that hasn't been said before concerning a Sandler and/or Aniston movie. They all are somewhat lazy. They all have humorous stretches. Sandler is inherently funny & sweet; yet never plays anyone other than himself. Aniston is not inherently funny; yet never plays anyone other than herself. What she's got is a pretty face, a rockin' body, and a familiar, amiable demeanor. On the humor in the film: it's okay; with few actual "laughs" to be had. And there's a low quotient of crass humor (for an Adam Sandler film). i.e., one example, a gag involving a sleeping man with his hand in a toilet & a sleepy kid who uses said toilet. I also enjoyed a gag where someone uses their butt cheeks to pick up a coconut {haha}. Otherwise, the film is pleasant, if containing what I call 'unfunny comedy'.
Performance wise, there's little sexual chemistry btwn. the Leads; as they are great friends in real life. At least Aniston looks smokin' hot. Nick Swardson often plays the oddball sidekick in these types of rom-coms; funny enough, usually as a gay sidekick. Here, he's Sandler's straight asshole pal who gets dragged into the charade in Hawaii. The child actors are humorous (the always dependable Bailee Madison, & a deadpan Griffin Gluck). But my own dad found them grating, haha. A few cameos pop-up: Dave Matthews, Kevin Nealon, Andy Roddick, Rachel Dratch - in a site gag that is awesome). And Nicole Kidman takes a rare supporting turn as Aniston's zany, over-the-top college rival. It's a performance that is alternately cringe-worthy & fascinating. At least she can rock a grass skirt.
I think my major issue with this film is that in-between the funny parts, there's little going on. The plot is paper-thin. The characters talk & ramble & talk & ramble - just to fill up time & space - and very little they're saying/doing is either insightful or "funny". It's almost as if the filmmakers think that characters talking really fast and often is "funny" enough to watch. The sidekick portrayals are often irksome. There's no wit in the proceedings. Adam Sandler will continue to make these movies because his puppy-dog persona & juvenile voices have worked forever ... and his films make $$. So overall, 'Just Go With It' is a watchable, if minor diversion. As mentioned above: pleasant. I just wish Sandler would rise to the occasion and do a movie that is better than okay; hell, better than good.
Danny's surgery assistant, Katherine (Aniston), doesn't approve of his bargirl ways. But the fact that she secretly pines for him allows her to deal with it. Into the plot steps Palmer (Brooklyn Decker, Andy Roddick's gorgeous model wife). She meets Danny. They connect. And now he thinks she's 'the one'. Unfortunately, she sees the ring (that he uses for his methods), & the explanation he gives her - that he & his 'wife' are getting a divorce - can't quell her concerns. So, to prove his veracity, she makes him show her his 'wife'. For his 'wife', he chooses Katherine to play the part. Part of her is revolted, part of her accepts the challenge ('cause she digs him). The deception becomes complicated, however, with the addition of Katherine's 2 children. For purposes of plot, the setting changes to Hawaii where Nicole Kidman shows up as Aniston's college rival. More lies backfire. Changes of heart occur. And hit & miss attempts at hilarity ensues.
What can I say that hasn't been said before concerning a Sandler and/or Aniston movie. They all are somewhat lazy. They all have humorous stretches. Sandler is inherently funny & sweet; yet never plays anyone other than himself. Aniston is not inherently funny; yet never plays anyone other than herself. What she's got is a pretty face, a rockin' body, and a familiar, amiable demeanor. On the humor in the film: it's okay; with few actual "laughs" to be had. And there's a low quotient of crass humor (for an Adam Sandler film). i.e., one example, a gag involving a sleeping man with his hand in a toilet & a sleepy kid who uses said toilet. I also enjoyed a gag where someone uses their butt cheeks to pick up a coconut {haha}. Otherwise, the film is pleasant, if containing what I call 'unfunny comedy'.
Performance wise, there's little sexual chemistry btwn. the Leads; as they are great friends in real life. At least Aniston looks smokin' hot. Nick Swardson often plays the oddball sidekick in these types of rom-coms; funny enough, usually as a gay sidekick. Here, he's Sandler's straight asshole pal who gets dragged into the charade in Hawaii. The child actors are humorous (the always dependable Bailee Madison, & a deadpan Griffin Gluck). But my own dad found them grating, haha. A few cameos pop-up: Dave Matthews, Kevin Nealon, Andy Roddick, Rachel Dratch - in a site gag that is awesome). And Nicole Kidman takes a rare supporting turn as Aniston's zany, over-the-top college rival. It's a performance that is alternately cringe-worthy & fascinating. At least she can rock a grass skirt.
I think my major issue with this film is that in-between the funny parts, there's little going on. The plot is paper-thin. The characters talk & ramble & talk & ramble - just to fill up time & space - and very little they're saying/doing is either insightful or "funny". It's almost as if the filmmakers think that characters talking really fast and often is "funny" enough to watch. The sidekick portrayals are often irksome. There's no wit in the proceedings. Adam Sandler will continue to make these movies because his puppy-dog persona & juvenile voices have worked forever ... and his films make $$. So overall, 'Just Go With It' is a watchable, if minor diversion. As mentioned above: pleasant. I just wish Sandler would rise to the occasion and do a movie that is better than okay; hell, better than good.