(out of
four)
By David N. Butterworth
If the image of Adam Sandler screaming "SOMEONE GET THIS KID A HAPPY MEAL!!"
at the top of his lungs makes you snicker, then Big Daddy is definitely for you.
Sandler's latest film (following his recent mega success with The Wedding Singer
and The Waterboy) isn't much of step up from those previous encounters, but it
retains all of their good-natured affability. Heck, I even enjoyed Bulletproof,
most notably because of the lively pairing of Sandler and former In Living Color
frontsman Damon Wayans.
Here, Sandler is ably supported by twins Cole and Dylan Sprouse,
who play the post-diaper-wearing kid adopted by Sandler's character. For those who might
be apprehensive about the film's adoption theme, fear not. The film isn't in the same
league as the detestable Problem Child (ironically also directed by Big Daddy's
Dennis Dugan) and its equally offensive sequel. Similarly, for those who feel that the
only decent child actors are European, fear not again. The Sprouse twins may be as
indistinguishable as Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, but they differ from those obnoxious
little automatons by being both cute yet not precocious.
In Big Daddy, toll-booth collector Sonny Koufax (Sandler) is having some
difficulty with his girlfriend Vanessa (played by Kristy Swanson, the original Buffy the
Vampire Slayer). Just when things are at their worst, a strange package is delivered to
Sonny's door: a five-year-old orphan called Julian. Julian arrives with a note attached
that explains how he's purportedly the son of Sonny's roommate Kevin (Jon Stewart), who's
currently heading out of the country. Like the all-around-good-guy he is, Sonny phones
Kevin at the airport, explains the little problem, and volunteers to take care of Julian,
at least for the time being.
Before you know it Sonny starts bonding with the little tyke (who has a real difficulty
containing his bodily fluids), seeing his new-found parenthood as a way to prove his
commitment to Vanessa.
Although Sonny has a law degree (perhaps the first Sandler character with brains), his
parenting skills are limited at best, and the film goes all out to create funny scenarios
involving Sonny showing Julian the ropes: teaching him to pee on buildings, eat junk food
to excess, wear ridiculous outfits, use bad language, etc.
In the course of all this inanity (helped along by the redoubtable Steve Buscemi as a
homeless wino and Rob Schneider as an Eastern Block deli deliveryman), Sonny falls for a
corporate lawyer played by Joey Lauren Adams (Chasing Amy). In Big Daddy,
Adams finally lays to rest the rumor that she's a terrible actress. She proves it! The
film culminates in a Judge Judy-styled courtroom sequence that piles on the
sentimentality and would be a total embarrassment were it not for Sandler's playful,
puppydog persona and a strong turn by Joe Bologna as Sonny's disapproving father.
Although I enjoyed Big Daddy, I wouldn't take my pre-teen daughters to see it,
since the profanity is endless and unnecessary. In addition, they don't need incessant
Hooters' (the restaurant and beyond) references forced down their impressionable young
throats. Adam Sandler should stick to yelling about Happy Meals. McDonalds is our kind of
place.
