MovieChat Forums > Funny People (2009) Discussion > Adam Sandler, wasted career?

Adam Sandler, wasted career?

posted 14 years ago by northeasttoffee
31 replies | jump to latest

I loved this film, but the thing that struck me most was how good Sandler was in it.

Clearly there is some amount of self-deprivation when Simmonds, and others comment on how awful his films are. But seeing a dry, witty and rather low key Sandler, bouncing off other excellent comics, made me wonder whether Sandler has wasted his career a little. Could he have been doing more work of this standard instead of embarrassing himself as Billy Madison, Zohan or like Simmonds the 'Merman'.

[–] shortbread226 14 years ago

That he wasted his career is subjective.

All those movies were made by Sandler's production company so he obviously enjoys making them. I don't like most of them either but if he enjoys what he does who are you to say his career is wasted and he's embarrassing himself

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What you just read was probably a bit of a rant. Sorry

[–] youngbleazy 14 years ago

Well he himself has admitted that a lot of his humor is really stupid but he got a huge cult following after movies like Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison and fans wanted more so he continued to make a lot of movies along those lines. But he's definately shown he can do other roles quite well such as in Punch Drunk Love and Reign Over Me, and I think as he gets older he'll start doing some more serious roles but at the same time he's gonna make the other kinds of movies his fans want to see

[–] lupe0816 14 years ago

I agree with you youngbleazy and I think you describe why he didn't waste his career. That type of humor is not usually my cup of tea, but I always like Adam Sandler's funny movies and I really liked him in his dramatic roles. I haven't finished watching this one, Funny People, but I am pretty confident I will appreciate the entertainment value to me.

Adam Sandler is far from a wasted career.

[–] assortedjellybeanz 14 years ago

There is a lot of serious actors in the world, but only one Adam Sandler. Even in comparison to other comedy actors that have silly humor, he is still very distinguishable. Not a wasted career at all.

To be honest, despite doing a great job in his serious role, I don't think he could get away with doing too many serious roles.

[–] aniketagg87 14 years ago

Not at all! First, is he enjoying what he's doing? I think so; there you have it. There's no second. I have a pretty encompassing taste in movies but even I don't like lame stuff, but Sandler has a way that makes it funny and endearing (both things are not always the same). I have watched almost all his movies on HBO and am waiting for funny people to come this Sunday (in India).

[–] devilmaybeticklish 14 years ago

There's a deleted scene where he's in the car with Ira, and Ira asks why Simmons only does "stupid" comedy. The conversation felt so true to Sandlers own career that it just must have been intentional. Watch the scene, and he may answer your question for you.

[–] jolem53 13 years ago

How do I watch the scene if it's been deleted?

[–] dalldorfw 11 years ago

See if the deleted scene is on the DVD as an extra.

[–] gunnaros 14 years ago

I´d say that he although not wasted, Sandler clearly makes that notion in that direction, in the film. As the character is portayed, a huge movie star who has featured in numerous comedies targeted at children, he is referring to himself in real life. Sandler has played in sooooo many stupid films which Simmons also has and acknowledges that in the movie on many occasions.

[–] jmarkoff2 14 years ago

I love Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, Wedding Singer, Waterboy, Little Nicky (the best!) and Zohan. Big Daddy and Mr. Deeds were passable. 50 First Dates had some good parts. Click and Bedtimes Stories were interesting. I see Sandler as a modern Three-Stooges-rolled-into-one and wish he'd get back to action-packed physical comedy instead of the sentimental bs.

I liked FP, and Sandler contributed to it greatly, but I don't think it's his best strength.

[–] chaoslaw8 14 years ago

like everyone else said he enjoyed it. im only mildly amused by his stupider stuff but, though it was a bit slow and weird plot, i liked this a lot had a good feel. click was awesome too.
i think he should do more rogan type stuff!

[–] Albatoss 14 years ago

I think if you have questions about Sandler as an actor, you should watch Reign Over Me.

[–] Katefkndoes 13 years ago

Reign Over Me remains the best film I have seen with any direct reference to September 11th. To be honest, when I read about that film I was dreading it since I have been a massive Sandler fan since I was about 12 and have grown up with his comedy films. But the ending of that film made everyone I know cry. And I'm not talking about girls here, I'm talking about grown men, I know someone who had to turn it off in the middle because it was upsetting him too much (but he's a bit of a girl anyway :-P). Anyway enough of my friends, regardless, that film was amazing and I know a lot of people who hadn't heard about that film until it was released on DVD and they love it.

As for Funny People, I didn't really like it the first time I saw it, but actually I rewatched it recently and I completely understood what they were trying to do with it. The film does have some really funny moments, but they are really natural, and it is unusual to see happiness mixed with such misery but I think they pulled it off well.

To the OP I don't think Sandler has wasted his career since he is one of the big comedy stars of his generation, but I wish that people would pay him more attention when he does do a serious film because he's actually a pretty damn good actor (and who saw that one coming after Little Nicky?).

But regardless of how good he is in a more serious role, I have to admit, I love nothing more than a good Sandler comedy.

[–] Chelios24 13 years ago

Sandler's dramas are genuinely good films. He should have made more, but enjoys making those stupid SNL-type comedies, so more power to him. He's one of the richest people in Hollywood, I think. He can afford to goof around. But personally I'd like to see him do more dramas just because they're more entertaining.

[–] stuart-sutcliffe 14 years ago

Would his more serious performances seem quite so great if we weren't already used to seeing him in so many "silly" roles?

[–] slimchopra 14 years ago

The movies in which he plays other types of roles, such as Punch Drunk Love don't sell as much as his more mainstream movies. So what is he suppossed to do?

Funny People is intentionally poking fun at the way comedians and actors start their careers struggling to stand out and be original only to end up compromising everything for money and fame.

George Simmons is symbolic of Sandler's real life career. This is obvious from the first scene that showed real life footage of him and the other future actors making prank phone calls.

[–] andykidd-1 13 years ago

You are 100% right

I thought the exact same thing throughout the whole film. Sandler sold himself short the last 20 years

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Bigredhunk 13 years ago

I'm not much of a Sandler fan. I like "Happy Gilmore" and "The Wedding Singer" a lot. I enjoyed "50 First Dates" and "Click." "Anger Management" was okay. I really dislike the others like "Big Daddy"/"Mr Deeds"/"Little Nicky"/"The Waterboy"/"Longest Yard"/"Chuck & Larry"/"Grown Ups." I can't think of an actor who's done more with less (had more financial success with that many turds).

I could be wrong, but I sense that his "Funny People character is a lot like he is in real life. He wants to break out and do more serious (and better) stuff, but people don't go to those movies of his. They go to the trash. So you struggle with wanting to do what you want to do -vs- doing what people want you to do.

[–] mjz688 13 years ago

Definitely, and you need to look no further than this movie to realize that Sandler himself thinks so. As others have noted, FP repeatedly emphasizes the puerile nature of Simmons/Sandler's film repertoire and the emptiness he feels about his "accomplishments" when death is staring him in the face. Just check out the scene where they're watching "Mer-man" just before Bana unexpectedly comes home. You can tell by the expression on every face -- including the kids' -- that they all think the movie is pure crap.

Just because you've made millions of dollars coasting on the taste of your lowest-common-denominator fan doesn't mean you haven't wasted your talent.