ANGER MANAGEMENT (Peter Segal, 2003) 72

Reviewed: April 7th, 2003

Gonna justify my forceful recommendation with the ol' doesn't-matter-how-stupid-and-unbelievable-this-movie-is-since-it's-funny-as-fuck clause. It's a pure, sweet, ebullient film, the best Happy Madison production yet. Sandler's not inhabiting his typical persona here, he's playing a better adjusted Barry Egan (his time with PTA has done his craft proud; I heard critics stumbling outta the screening saying they think this is Sandler's best performance ever, which -- though clearly the opinion of lunatics since Sandler's work here automatically [due to inherent script limitations] can't equal his marvelous PDL turn -- at least reinforces my belief his chops are only getting stronger). Those who go to Happy Madison flicks just to see their star let loose might be sorely disappointed: Sandler almost never explodes in Anger Management (he's implosive, instead) nor is the set-up as pedestrian as 'Jack Nicholson is the one with the anger problem, not Sandler! hoho!' It's a buddy comedy, a study in contrasts, and like all good buddy comedies I was primarily laughing at the top-notch performances themselves, with Nicholson given his first leading opportunity in over a decade to ham it up for good reason (yet never annoyingly overbearing), Sandler easily holding his own against Jack, Marisa Tomei luminous and utterly adorable (please let this turn + In the Bedroom be indicative of a major impending comeback) and the genius supporting gallery packed to the brim with PTA's traveling company. There's always been something hugely affecting about Sandler's performances (i.e. The Wedding Singer) in which he's not using one of his nail-on-chalkboard voices or hiding behind useless, arrested development affectation. PTA understood Sandler's best at playing (Somewhat) Average Insecure Joes and he seems to have passed this knowledge onto director Segal and writer David Dorfman (both making their Happy Madison debuts). They keep everyone in check and the fast-moving setpieces tightly reigned in. It's a movie filled with lowbrow humor (penis size gags aplenty), stridently using lame music and inevitably losing steam in the final act, but who cares if I still wanna go back for seconds? Year's best line: a matter-of-fact John Turturro declares "I think eskimos are smug."

[Second viewing, 9.17.03: Still dumb, still makes me very happy. Subverting Sandler's persona by questioning whether a semi-regression (to the Happy Gilmore days of yore) is a fitful emotional decision (aka is reticence really any healthier than aggression?), it's a silly movie about centering yourself and finding the correct balance.]

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