A Do-Do-Over is Necessary
Director: Steven Brill
Running Time: 108 Minutes
Starring: Adam Sandler, David Spade, Paula Patton, Nick Swardson, Matt Walsh, Kathryn Hahn, Luis Guzmán
Late on in this film, director Steve Brill delivers what's meant to be a nice moment, showing a completely generic attempt at visualising a happy family. The scene is then punctuated by the visual of an elderly woman, showing off her sagging breasts, for the purposes of "comedy". This is an appropriate moment to describe the overall picture: lazy.
Charlie (David Spade) is the perfect example of a down on his luck guy. Married to a wife who's blatantly cheating on him, playing step-father to a pair of rotten boys, while dissatisfied with his job working at a bank located within a supermarket. He goes for a weekend away with his best friend Max (Adam Sandler), only to awake one morning to discover Max faked their deaths. They take on new identities, to start new lives away, but find the men whose identities they've taken were engaged in criminal activities.
The focus of the tale initially appears to be Charlie, our meek lead whose character arc is learning to grow a backbone, while serving as the films constant punching bag (not as much as Nick Swardson, which proves to be his only purpose). There's the potential for him to engage in a real romance, as he constantly hits on the recently widowed Heather Fishman (not the best of years for Paula Patton). No matter how many times the wrongness of the situation is mentioned, it doesn't make this sleazy scenario any better, especially as the film still goes ahead with it.
But as the plot progresses onwards, we're forced to spend more time with Adam Sandler's Max. The writers had his character in mind as somebody we're meant to feel sorry for as his tragedies keep being unveiled, and root for. This proves easier said than done, as the character is a complete psychopath. One may argue that he had good intentions for faking their deaths, but what about firing a flare gun at a boat of women? It's a scenario that could have ended horrifically, and makes it unsurprising when he reveals to have failed a psychological exam.It's a struggle to care about the overall conflict, as the antagonists are an agile antagonist nicknamed The Gymnast, who's the butt of many homophobic gags, and hitmen who got their training at the Stormtrooper firing range, existing to get mowed down by an Adam Sandler acting out some action hero style fantasy.
As an emotional turn feels nothing more than tacked on, and the "humour" relies on swear words inserted into conversations, one wonders if the two screenwriters actually spent their time at work. From the basis of the picture, the idea that key points were decided through an online generator, and based around Sandler and Spade having fun, isn't impossible to believe.
From unfortunately sitting through all 108 minutes of The Do-Over, it's evident the only effort put into the picture is in ensuring the leads have fun on their well-paid holiday. But if you've ever wanted to see Luis Guzmán and David Spade engaging in a threesome, prepare for your wildest dreams to come true.
Comments