Great performance by Sandler, apart from ONE scene

Emotionally, I think he was still very numb as he opened up and he did a good job of conveying that in the scene. Although it could happen, I wouldn't expect someone opening up like that for the first time to break down sobbing or anything like that just yet. However, I definitely felt more emotion in that later scene when he's talking to the Timplemans in the courthouse.


"Life is short but sweet for certain."
--Dave Matthews (Two Step)

Actually, as someone who -has- interacted with people who have lost family to tragedy... He performed that scene exceptionally. He had spent years locking in extremely powerful emotions that begged to escape, and all he had to fight it was a cage of shell of numbness. It started to crack, but did not break entirely. If you pay close attention, the scene is actually demonstrated as a 'dawn' rather than a revelation. He was allowing those intense feelings to slip out while still managing to stay as cold and numb as possible, and in the scene you can easily see what looks like him trying to hold back as much as he can and failing to do so by his voice breaking a few times and him wanting to stop talking about it as soon as possible. The initial release of intense, destructive emotion is often first very silent and restrained because they want to keep it controlled, knowing that if they see reason to or simply cannot take it, they have an easier way to opt for silence once again. If you let too much out, you can never put it back.

I can see why you might think he did a poor job, but believe me. He did that part on a profound level. The entire role was phenomenal.

How he did not win a single award for this role is beyond me. The entire film, to my knowledge, won absolutely nothing at all.

Actually, I think that's the best part of the movie. I think it's relatively undermined by mediocre direction and a few examples of bad dialogue -- or at least bad delivery of the dialogue ("I didn't have the heart to mention it as a problem" comes to mind as one of the lesser moments).

But, overall, I felt like Sandler did great here. Wonderful scene.

W.W.G.D.
What Would Gibson Do?

One BIG NO! I thought that scene was his absolute best, because we were waiting for him to open up about his family for most of the movie and then he finally did it, and he really opened up. It's like those memories with his family were REAL, and I could feel his pain but also the happiness of those memories. Sandler was amazing in this

If you piss in your pants you can only stay warm for so long

[deleted]

Sandler is one of my favorite actors and i totally love most of his films. This film was a surprise for me cause i am used to see him in comedy type ones.
It was unbelievable and the scene in the waiting room was imo the best of all. Its been a while since a movie made me feel like that and i could actually feel his pain along with his try to stay calm.
The court scene was very strong aswell but thats cause we now know exactly what happened to his family and the fact that he cant forgive himself arguing with his wife makes it more tense.

I think it was a beautiful performance.

P.S. The song was absolutely stunning aswell.

I can understand what you're saying, but I don't agree. Maybe what you felt was intentional?

I think that Charlie's actions worked well. I had been confused a bit just before this because he had twice told the therapist that "I can't remember". I wasn't sure if that was because he had blocked that out, or if it was because he didn't want to remember.

When he sat down next to Alan I could feel what was coming. It was very simple and brilliant. He was heading into unknown territory, exploring a path totally foreign to him. He may have convinced himself it was time, but he was very unsure about what he was doing. What you saw I felt was his distancing himself because he was still reluctant to do so. I believe it's not uncommon for people in situations like this to address the problem as if from the outside, in third person. That way they can open up, but still keep a distance. This was a first step, but a very big step.

I broke down in the courtroom scene. I can't honestly imagine how I'd react to that. I'm not an emotional movie watcher and that scene got to me. I think that one of the most interesting points in the movie was when he finally confronted her parents. So simply put, you've got each other.

At the end of the movie my wife asked me if there the movie or Sandler were nominated for any awards. We were surprised that there was very little recognition of the film.

I think it was kind of supposed to be held back a bit. whether it was on purpose or not. it was the first time charlie ever opened up for someone. you can't expect him to pour it all out the first time.


i agree though that he deserved a nomination.



















see you later