That's My Boy

THAT'S MY BOY

Adam Sandler channels his most obnoxious character yet.

Attempting the Andy Samberg pose. Photo by Heather.

2012, Comedy, Rated R

Distributed by Columbia Pictures

          Adam Sandler is no stranger to flops, especially as of late. His movies in the 90s were priceless, classic, including Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore. Recently, though, he can't find his spot in the comedy scene. People flock to his films, but they are usually poorly received and won't reach classic status like his older films. That's My Boy is no exception, but hey, it's pretty damn funny. And it's rated R, a change for the normally PG-13 Sandler.

          The trailers for this film were so over-played and desperate that it eventually seemed like a flop before it even came out. The recycled jokes involving stretched out New Kids on the Block tattoos, eight-year-olds driving their drunk fathers home from the beach, and Andy Samberg showering in a bathing suit, became so tiresome that the movie suffered for them. All the jokes featured in the trailer were met with total silence in the theater. Luckily this movie is chock-full of gags just like them. It's no 21 Jump Street or Horrible Bosses but it's worth a watch for sure.

          What makes this movie watchable is Adam Sandler. The character he portrays, Donny Berger of Massachusetts who impregnated his teacher in middle school, is his most annoying. Of all the over-the-top characters he has played, Donny is the one you would least like to take to a fancy restaurant. He is loud, annoying, reckless and acts like a kid. After getting his teacher pregnant, he becomes something of a child star so he has never had to work in his life. He is a lazy bum who never paid his taxes. So when he gets threatened with jail time, he decides to crash his son's big-time wedding to try and get the cash. The plot really doesn't matter in a film like this though. It's pretty much a vehicle for the character of Donny Berger.

          Donny is the reason I liked this movie. If you're from New England, or have ever spent some time in Boston, I'm sure you've run into a character like Donny. He has that Boston accent sputtered between uses of "dude" and "guy" and he always has a beer in his hand. I know people like this. As annoying as Sandler is as the exaggerated version of people like Donny, he does an extremely good job of channeling him. I loved how every time he fell over because of a fight or something, he always claimed to not have spilled his beer. I loved how he would produce a beer out of his pocket at the worst of times simply because that's what someone as dumb as Donny would actually do. The scenes where he pleasures himself to a photo of a grandma sort of make sense. I mean, he obviously likes older women. Things that seemed totally stupid actually worked because Donny is totally stupid. And as dumb and annoying as Donny is, you will grow to like him. He is actually charming toward the end. He is a total idiot, but he feels really human. I applaud Sandler for pulling him off so well.

          I've never been a fan of Andy Samberg so he could have been anyone for me. He was okay I guess but he didn't bring much, especially next to the ridiculous Donny. Nick Shwarsden is totally brilliant as always, even with so little screen time. Vanilla Ice plays himself and is actually hysterical in some parts. Susan Sarandon has a pitch-perfect cameo. She plays the older version of a character we meet early on and they look EXACTLY alike. It's weird. James Caan turns in a great little performance as a fighting priest. This movie has star power and they all deliver.

          There are some disgusting plot turns that you might not see coming. One scene shows two characters being even more repulsive than Donny and we get to see Donny be the one who feels uncomfortable. That was a high point in my opinion. Seeing Donny being the one judging rather than being judged was interesting. The plot of the film feels loose, laid back. It's a relaxed and raunchy little film that brings many worthy laughs. Even the baseball scene, which has nothing to do with the plot, was funny as Hell. I gotta say, I liked this movie.

          Who doesn't want to see Adam Sandler succeed after a string of flops? He's lovable, but his characters rarely are. Donny Berger is not lovable at first, but he grows on you. This film didn't seem lovable from the trailers, but, it grows on you. It's not as good as some recent R-rated comedies, but it's definitely worth a watch. I'll even go as far as to suggest a trip to the theater. There are no other R-rated comedies out right now but if that's what you're looking for, That's My Boy is your ticket.

          Side note: Adam Sandler's usual troupe of actors are missing here, which was a total letdown. Except for one. I believe there is a crossover character(s) between this and Grandma's Boy. Dante and Dr. Shakalu make appearances in That's My Boy.