Anger Management

April 22, 2003

Starring: Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson, Marisa Tomei, Luis Guzmán, Lynne Thigpen, Woody Harrelson, John Turturro

Director: Peter Segal

Official Website: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/angermanagement/

Two of my personal favorite actors team up in this wacky but in the end somewhat dumb comedy with all the potential in the world.

Since January when I first saw the trailer have I been wanting to see this movie. Among many things, it brings back some of the good old raunchy humor we all love Sandler for and the incredible presence Jack Nicholson brings to any movie. I wish I could say the two compliment each other, but with the way the script unfolded, it was sort of hard for either one to show themselves at their best.

The ending to this movie is nothing short of a let down and an easy way out for the writer who couldn`t seem to tell where his story was going. Teaming Sandler and Nicholson should have been an historic moment in the hollywood world, instead it`s an average comedy that fails to really get you into it. Maybe I'm just getting old and don`t find gross out humor as amusing as I once did, or maybe it`s Sandler who is getting too old to play the same character over and over again, though he`s a genius at it.

Overall, of course the movie has some hilarious moments, but this could have been one the all time landmark comdies if only they had actually tried. Do I still recommend it? Sure, just forget who is actually in it.

In short:
Comedy: Oh yeah, sometimes on the verge of hysterical
Violence/language: Non-bloody but degrading fight scenes, occasional language
Nudity/sex: None
High Points: Laugh out loud scenes, Sandler-Nicholson duo
Low Points: Dumb Ending, could have been so much better overall

Rating: B-