Rating: 8/10
Review date: April 27, 2003
Adam Sandler stars as a young junior executive who supposedly has uncontrollable anger after he �apparently� assaulted a flight attendant over a headphone (if you�ve seen the trailer, you know what am I talking about). He was then given a court order to go through anger management therapy under the care of a renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Buddy Rydell (played by Jack Nicholson).
I never expect to appreciate this movie as much as I did since: a) I just can�t picture Jack Nicholson in a comedy show with b) Adam Sandler as his co-star supported by c) the trailer which doesn�t look interesting enough.
Suffice it to say that Sandler and Nicholson actually pull it off, with the highlight being the anger management process itself whereby we see the �unorthodox� methods employed which generates most of the laughs. I particularly liked the scene when Sandler is going to work and the part where he went to a bar with Rydell; you have to watch it yourself since I won�t spoil anything more here.
The interaction between the two leads is very good as well. Sandler�s expression was well-acted and so does Nicholson especially when the two are trying out a new method to control anger.
Marisa Tomei as Linda is also a great supporting character as Sandler�s girlfriend who actually has a bigger role than what the audience thought she knew.
The soundtrack is also quite nice, with the right mix thrown into the right sequences which adds to the enjoyment of the movie.
There is a certain twist near the end of the movie (at the stadium) which could be quite surprising for those who never see it coming (I personally saw it coming but my sister didn�t). I find it very predictable personally but I�ll leave that to your own judgment on whether it is even worth mentioning or not.
Overall Anger Management is successful comedy due mainly to the great interaction between Sandler and Nicholson plus the supporting characters which also include cameo appearances by Heather Graham and Woody Harrelson, add all that to a great screenplay that really knows how to tickle your stomach and I promise you�ll have a great laugh with this movie as I myself had.
Memorable quote: �Beware the fury of a patient man.�
-Jack Nicholson as Dr. Buddy Rydell-
(c) 2003 Martin Taidy