Just Go With It Review
It’s a tried and tested formula; Adam Sandler in a rom-com riddled with harebrained schemes and larger than life characters. Can he really pull it off again?
Sandler plays a slick, womanising plastic surgeon determined to leave his awkward old romantic self in the past. So yes, it’s an amalgamation of all the characters you’ve seen him play before, but he does it well. Meanwhile Jennifer Aniston plays his weary, dowdy assistant. And it’s not that her performance isn’t convincing; it’s the notion that nobody noticed til she donned a bikini that she was a stone fox that is impossible to believe. Her character Katherine also has two kids and for some reason it’s difficult to accept her in a maternal role.
Setting up the story is a slow and, at times, irritating process but things pick up once the trip to Hawaii’s been engineered. The chemistry between the two leads is better than you may have anticipated, but this genre is their comfort zone and they clearly haven’t tired of it yet, wholly committing to their parts. However, it’s the rest of the cast that offer the real treats. Aniston’s on-screen offspring, after a precocious start, get some of the funniest lines and most heart-warming moments the film rides on. Better yet, the small role of her arch nemesis is superbly played by none other than Nicole Kidman, who looks particularly stunning. Bizarrely she’s paired with Dave Matthews (yes, the musician!) whose portrayal of her eccentric, obnoxious husband surprisingly gives the established actress a run for her money. It’s nice to see two serious artists not only willing to poke fun at themselves, but doing it so very comedic! They don’t get a great deal of screen time, which is probably a good thing as it stops their dynamic getting tired and injects some fresh humour. Less notable is an appearance by Heidi Montag, and the purpose of some characters is questionable; Cousin Eddie and his alter ego Dolph raise a few smiles but are largely dispensable.
In Hawaii, the sets also become more dazzling (although haven’t we seen Sandler hit Hawaii before?), especially the beautiful waterfall the dysfunctional ‘family’ visit; but, even though the cast and skies are star-studded, it doesn’t become laugh out loud funny. The gags and dialogue are sometimes feeble – there’s definitely too many poop jokes. Perhaps it’s an attempt to win over the boyfriends who will inevitably be forced to watch it over a takeaway, but it just renders the whole thing immature and, in all honesty, a little gross at times.
The story isn’t mind-bendingly complex, but there are so many subplots that it gets a little ridiculous and the relationship between the children and their biological dad tugs gently at the heartstrings, but is underdeveloped to really have any weight. Despite all these different threads, it’s utterly predictable. There are a few small twists, both sweet and funny, but no real shock moments. It’s not riotously funny, thought-provoking or demanding but overall, it’s undeniably charming and easy to watch.
Similarly, the soundtrack is inoffensive and unremarkable but quite uplifting. It features lots of familiar tunes: current chart-toppers (Bruno Mars, Mike Posner), rock classics (Soft Cell, Sting), some more traditional music and an ear-pleasing mix of Snow Patrol and the Police. It gives the film a fresh, modern edge and sometimes picks the tempo back up when the comedy’s lacking.
As for features, there’s a disappointing bloopers reel (Laughter is Contagious) and some pretty pointless featurettes – nine is definitely overkill! – But some of the interviews with the cast are mildly entertaining. If you’re in the mindset to enjoy the movie, you’ll find them watchable at the very least – Kevin Nealon: The Plastic Man and Along Came a Prop Guy are the best of the bunch. This was my first experience with movieIQ, which is a great and novel idea, but entirely redundant if you have the IMDB App, and there’s two director’s commentaries to choose from to get some extra movie trivia.
If you find Sandler abrasive, give this movie a wide berth. If you’re a die-hard fan of his, or you’re looking for some mindless Sunday afternoon filler…Just Go With It.
Lauren Felton