In an essay at Cinematical, Eric Kohn looks at the politically conservative current present in many of Sandler's films which, despite all the sex and fart jokes, seem to embrace wholesome, conservative values.
I agree up to a point, but Sandler's new film, "You Don't Mess With the Zohan," which I saw last night, doesn't really fit the analysis, mostly because its politics are clearly liberal: About halfway through, it turns from a broad, goofy, slapsticky comedy into a heavy-handed plea for Mideast peace. The first half hour is nothing less than brilliant, Sandler's Zohan character is very funny, all of Hebrew/Israeli jokes work, and some of the physical comedy is great as well- but talk about a comedy that runs out of gas way, way too early.
Another disappointment- a complete lack of ga-ga jokes.
Posted by Stephen Silver at June 5, 2008 05:07 PM