Queer Review: 50 First Dates (2004)

50 First Dates
Director: Peter Segal
Writer: George Wing
Cast: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, Lusia Strus, Dan Aykroyd, Amy Hill, Pomaika'i Brown, Blake Clark

Overview
Among the most mature of Adam Sandler's films not involving Paul Thomas Anderson, 50 First Dates is an atypical romantic comedy that manages to straddle the line between sweet and raunchy. Fortunately, this results in one of Sandler's most enjoyable flicks, which admittedly, really isn't saying much, but I'll take it.

Synopsis
Henry Roth (Adam Sandler) is a Hawaiian veterinarian who targets tourists (mostly woman, but also one played by Kevin James) for romantic flings, knowing that any relationship that develops will be temporary. That changes when he meets Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore), who captures his heart. Unfortunately, Lucy has a memory problem from a car accident that occurred over a year ago. This memory issue being, that outside of the present day, Lucy does not remember anything since the accident. Ultimately, this means that Henry must woe Lucy anew each day, while trying to get around her protective father (Blake Clark) and brother (Sean Astin).

The Queering
Most so called romantic comedies be they featuring straight or gay couples, such as Latter Days or Imagine Me and You, are almost universally bland and unimaginative. On the other hand, there is the raunchy sex comedy, a genre that includes such movies such as American Pie or Another Gay Movie and are usually aimed at hormone driven male teenagers. Those in the latter category actively compete with each other to see who can go the furthest and come up with the grossest, most envelope fondling gags.

However, there are a small number of films are content to not go to either extreme and as a result, manage to hit the equivalent of a home run, rather then getting stranded at first. 50 First Dates is one such film. Sandler and Barrymore manage to generate enough heat and sparks together, while the salty gags keeps the romance from becoming too saccharine.

Unfortunately all of this does not stop Rob Schneider from being his usually annoying self. Fortunately his caricature has just a small enough amount of screen time to keep this from being a big issue. Personally, I would have preferred it if there had been more attention paid to Alexa (Lusia Strus), Henry's bisexual assistant, as I found the characters androgynous presentation unusual and therefore intriguing.

On the other hand, I must admit to having an issue with Sean Astin's character, Doug, a Mr. Hawaii contestant obsessed with working out, taking steroids, and most notably, speaks with a constant lisp. I mean, fortunately there is a possibility that Alexa was a chick, not a dude (no one in the film seems to know) as I don't think we need another gay character who speaks with a lisp, as that is a really horrible and offensive stereotype. Seriously. On the other hand, there are numerous brief references to minor characters being either gay or transgendered, even the seals get in on the act at the end. For whatever reason, I actually appreciated these little throw away bits, brief as they were.

All in all, the enjoyability quotient is up and the homophobia/transphobia index is low (although not non-existent) making this a rare diamond in the rough as far as Adam Sandler flicks go.

Recommendation
Recommended. Might not be worth seeing a total of 50 times over, but once or twice won't hurt anyone.

The Rating

Trailer


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Queer Review: I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007)

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Director: Dennis Dugan
Writers: Barry Fanaro, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, and Lew Gallo
Cast: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Dan Aykroyd, Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi, Cole Morgen, Shelby Adamowsky

Overview
Somewhere buried in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry there is a really good movie struggling to get out. That is, until it got smothered by Adam Sandler's juvenile "comedy" and therefore what we are stuck with is a half baked retread of better and edgier queer movies with a stinky side dish of homophobia.

Synopsis
Following the passing of his wife, fire-fighter Larry Valentine (Kevin James) has a problem. Due to an unfortunate bureaucratic detail, if he were to die, his kids Eric and Tori (Cole Morgen and Shelby Adamowsky) would be unable to access his pension. So he does what any sane heterosexual father would do, he gets married to his best friend and fellow firefighter Chuck Levine (Adam Sandler). Unfortunately, their sham relationship is under scrutiny by fraud inspector Clint Fitzer (Steve Buscemi) and they must turn to a lawyer Alex McDonough (Jessica Biel) for aid. Unfortunately, more complications arise when Chuck finds that he has feelings (sexual and possibly love) for Alex.

The Queering
In a way Chuck and Larry are facing a rather similar issue that many gay people deal with all the time. That is, in order to succeed, they must closet their heterosexuality in order to uphold a sham marriage domestic partnership. If they fail at this, they face the same problems that queers who were caught by the authorities did at the time of Stonewall, persecution and imprisonment.

It is therefore unfortunate that whatever cleverness there may have been in the premise is quickly overshadowed by the crude comedy employed by Adam Sandler. This film does not even limit itself to offensive gay stereotypes, there are also cruel jabs at the obese during an early fire rescue sequence and some degrading commentary about woman throughout. For whatever reason, Sandler had to make it very clear from the outset that his character is a straight, manly-manly skirt chaser. This would not be a problem in of itself, but Sandler knows no subtleties and goes for the overkill. The scene where he fondles Biel's boobs made me feel like I was watching a sexual assault. I found myself wondering if this movie would have been better if another actor, such as Jim Carrey who gave a brilliant performance in I Love You Phillip Morris, had played Chuck. I also had a problem with Steve Buscemi's obviously gay, fanny pack wearing, villain, as this is the epitome of the effeminate male villain that pervades far too many movies.

Kevin James is fine as Larry, a firefighter still struggling with the death of a beloved wife, even though it's been more than a year since the tragic event. It is too bad that his quiet performance is overshadowed by Sandler's screen hog. I also enjoyed Eric, Larry's effeminate son, who manages to be one of the small pleasures offered up by the movie. Ving Rhames, who usually plays the heavy, also gives a delightfully subversive performance as a tough black guy with a wee little secret.

I regret that the pedantic speeches at the end condemning bigotry could not undo what had gone on before. There is an uneasy union between the homophobic jokes and the high minded ideals expressed in the screenplay. In short, I now pronounce this to be one marriage that is headed for divorce court.

Recommendation
For non-homophobic Adam Sandler fans, this could offer up a few laughs. Anyone else is advised to stay away.

The Rating





Trailer


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