Top 10 Adam Sandler Films That Shouldn't Be Missed

    

    With this week's release of Pixels, Adam Sandler and some of his Happy Madison Productions gang are back on the big screen, this time battling alien forces in the form of 80s video game characters. Since this movie was announced, I've thought about the credibility of Adam Sandler as of late and wondered if indeed his being in this new film is a good thing or a bad thing. Sandler is a comedic king who's turned into more of a one-trick pony. In his last few comedies he seems to channel the same type of character, giving us more of that slapstick comedy that he was known for when he first broke out on the Hollywood scene. I get that actors have to find their niche, and for a long time Adam Sandler did, but his last few movies have suggested otherwise. Not all of their failures should fall on his shoulders, of course. Sometimes he was just subject to poor writing or poor direction. Yet, with all of that aside, the guy can act. I've said it before, but one of my favorite things to see is a drama with a comedian in the starring role, not playing a comedic part. For whatever reason, sometimes comedians seem to be able to tap into a dramatic vein so well that it makes you see them in a completely different light. Jonah Hill is a great example of that. Known for more raunchy comedies, the guy is a two-time Oscar Nom for roles that were not comedic roles (though you could argue that his role in The Wolf of Wallstreet was pretty funny). Adam Sandler is no different. His dramatic roles are some of his best. Pixels is obviously a comedy, and skepticism is high on whether or not Sandler will resonate with audiences, but on this blog where the glass is always half full, I think he'll do just fine.

   This week I've decided to list my top ten Adam Sandler films, in lieu of his new film releasing this weekend. Some may think this list is ridiculous because there aren't as many comedies as one might think. But for what it's worth, this list represents in my mind the best examples of Sandler's acting chops, rather than the overall success of the films.


10. The Cobbler

    In this short-lived, straight-to-Netflix film, Sandler plays Max Simkin, A cobbler, bored with his everyday life. He stumbles upon a magical heir loomer that allows him to "step into other peoples shoes", while literally stepping into their shoes, and see the world in a different way. I had no idea this movie existed until late one night while perusing Netflix. This movie shouldn't be missed. It is in no way a masterclass film or anything, but it showcases the heart and emotion of a normal human being, something Sandler's more outrageous comedic characters seem to lack. It's one of the more different movies that you'll see him in. It's charming, funny, emotional, and engaging. 


9. Click

    A lot of Sandler's films seem to have this undercurrent of sadness about them, and Click is no different. Michael Newman, a workaholic architect, finds a universal remote that allows him to fast-forward and rewind to different parts of his life. Complications arise when the remote starts to overrule his choices. This movie unlike some of his others, takes an emotional roller coaster ride from one end of the spectrum to the other. Starting from a hugely comedic point, watching Michael fast-forward through fights with his wife and family dinners connects with us on an intimate level, but is also funny. Who of us at one point or another would have loved to have had that remote? Yet as the third act of the film unfolds, a much more sad and depressed Michael is portrayed. Almost no comedic aspect can be seen and you begin to realize, as does Michael, that all the funny stuff that got lost during the fast-forwarding was actually the important stuff; the stuff that makes life worth living. The first time I watched this film I literally laughed and cried. You can't help but get a bit emotional during Michael's realization, and you have to credit that to Sandler's performance from top to bottom or it wouldn't have worked. 


8. Big Daddy

    Sonny Koufax, a lazy law school grad, adopts a kid to impress his girlfriend, but everything doesn't go as planned and he becomes the unlikely foster father. This movie has a pretty dower set-up but Sandler is able to bring this story to a heart-warming place. The movie itself is light-hearted and sweet at times, full of humor and memorable Sandler moments. But what I really like about this film, and Sandler's performance especially is that in the midst of the humor and outrageous moments, he brings a level of relatability to the character. You can connect to Sonny. His methods may be insane but they strike an intimate chord that is effective due to his deliverance. 


7. Spanglish

Another dramatic role, Sandler takes a side seat for a bit and plays a secondary character named John Clasky. When a woman and her daughter emigrate from Mexico looking for a better life in America, they start working for a family where the patriarch (John Clasky) is a newly celebrated chef with an insecure wife. This painful comedy showcases a peek into the Latino experience in a white, wealthy country. Sandler's performance as John is almost passive in this piece, floating between his stereotypical gorgeous blonde wife and his maid. It's a role much different than anything he's been in. At times it's almost boring. But that's a good thing, trust me. If you're gauging the talent of an actor, you got to look at the depth of their work, good and bad. I commend his lackadaisical performance in this movie because it's so different and it works within the confines of this movie. The movie itself is great outside of Sandler's involvement. 


6. 50 First Dates

    In this romantic comedy, Sandler plays Henry Roth, a man afraid of commitment, up until he meets the beautiful Lucy. They hit it off and Henry think he's finally found the girl of his dreams, until he discovers she has short-term memory loss and forgets him the very next day. This movie is great, no matter what anyone says. It's one of Sandler's more popular titles and for good reason. The dynamic duo of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore from The Wedding Singer (which though I think as a whole is one of Sandler's best films, however it isn't on this list), team up once again in this film. Sandler brings a veracious tenacity to Henry. Henry is determined that Lucy is the one for him and he gives it his all when courting Lucy day after day. It's charming and emotional and Sandler seems to take great care in portraying Henry. Maybe it has to do with his counterpart in Barrymore, I don't know. But it's definitely a worthy candidate for this list.


5. Billy Madison

    After being fired from Saturday Night Live, Sandler hit the big screen with this comedic gem. He plays the title character Billy, a lazy heir to his father's fortune who repeats every year of grade school in order to take over the family business. It's a ridiculous film with a ridiculous concept, but it's absolutely hilarious. So many memorable lines and funny moments, this movie stands the test of time. It's constantly played on cable and will forever be remembered as the start of something great, that being Adam Sandler's modern-day career. That fact alone is why this makes it on this list. The movie just doesn't work with anyone else.


4. The Waterboy

       

Probably one of the most hilarious comedies to come from Sandler, this movie to me is more memorable than most. Centered around Sandler's kooky character Bobby Boucher, the film follows Bobby, the world's most dedicated waterboy, as he discovers his rage-filled power to tackle, making him a valued member of the football team. It's sweet, funny, and over the top. Just how we like our Sandler comedy. I'd venture to say that next to Billy Madison, this movie is probably the most quoted by fans. It's just plain, stupid fun that really captures some of Sandler's idiotically-charming comedy.

3. Reign Over Me

    Like I mentioned earlier, not every Sandler movie is a comedy. Some of his best work aren't actually comedies either. Reign Over Me is a great example of that. Sandler plays Charlie Fineman, a man who lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City. He runs into his old college roommate and their rekindling friendship is the one thing that seems to help Charlie recover from his grief. This movie is heavy, people. It strikes at an emotional chord that most people shy away from. That's the beauty of film. An emotion like grief can be portrayed in such a way that is both entertaining and cathartic. It only works though if the actors are able to convey these emotions in a believable way. Sandler hits it out of the park in this movie. It's hard not to feel what Charlie feels as he copes with his life after the loss of his family. This film, above all others (yes I know it's only number 3 on this list, but just go with me here), more than any other movie he's done, proves that Adam Sandler has got some acting chops. As much as I like to escape from my troubles and watch a goofy character in an outrageous situation, I would rather see Sandler in more dramatic roles like this one because, quite simply, he's great at it.


2. Happy Gilmore

    After proving he could be a leading man in Billy Madison, Sandler followed it up with this iconic piece. Happy Gilmore is an ill-tempered, rejected hockey player who is convinced by Apollo Creed that his skills could be transferred to the golf course. Happy puts his new-found skills to the test in order to save his grandmother's house. The movie is rude, funny, outrageous, over-the-top, and an absolute joy to watch. It's one of the funniest films in the Sandler cannon, showcasing a rage-induced personality in Happy that we'll later see elements of in films like Waterboy and Anger Management. Plus, he fist-fights Bob Barker. 'Nuff said.


1. Funny People

     Most people don't think much about this film. Why, I don't know. When seasoned comedian George Simmons (Sandler) learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition his desire to form a genuine friendship causes him to take a relatively green performer under his wing as his opening act. Not since Click as there been a movie Sandler has done where the emotional feel changed dramatically halfway through the film. The movie is hilarious, filled with comedic actors that compliment Sandler brilliantly. Then, about halfway through, the funny train stops and the sad train departs. It's crazy how quickly the emotional drive changes, and I commend director Judd Apatow for that. As the leading man though, Sandler brings so much realism to the character that you find yourself completely enamored by the performance. It's an overall interesting film in and of itself, but being able to carry the emotional weight this story holds is a feat that very few can do. It's a movie that shouldn't be missed and that will give you a greater, more well-rounded look at the acting chops of Adam Sandler.

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