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Mediocre fare
Director:
Peter Segal
Cast: Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson, Marisa Tomei.
 The film centres upon Dave Buznik (Sandler), who’s pushed around and treated like dirt by
everyone. But standing by him is loyal girlfriend, Linda (Tomei). On a flight, a misunderstanding with a flight attendant lands him in court for assault.
His doctor is unorthodox Dr Buddy (Nicholson), whose methods are unconventional and at most times lands Buznik in embarrassing and nightmarish situations. Like when Buddy forces Buznik to travel in the back of his car with a transvestite or forces him to make an indecent proposal to a voluptuous stranger in a bar or again, forces Buznik to stop his car in a middle of rush-hour traffic and sing ‘I feel pretty’. Added to that is Buznik’s colleagues in the therapy-course, a couple of them really violent, and each with his own serious problem.
But at the end of it all, it seems worth it, for Buznik is a changed man, much more assertive and confident. There’s a twist at the end too.
Sandler as the passive guy dealing with his own pent-up emotions, and Nicholson as the anger-therapist breaking into fits of rage himself, fit into their roles ably, taking the audience on a journey, at times humorous, at times monotonous and at times silly. Nothing much exciting here, but enough to while away your time, when there’s nothing else to do!
Malini Mannath
Published on 12th Nov, 2003
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