Premise: Blended family
Pros: Fav part of the movie is the poster
Cons: Just a little tooooo much
Is this James Brooks movie a tender romantic comedy, social satire, slice-of-life, all of the above? What makes this movie enjoyable, really (and no, it's not a romantic comedy), is the 'likeableness' of the actors, which is not to say we really like all of them (i.e., bitchy Tea Leoni) but that we like their performances... the relationships, the slow, thoughtful stitching of the characters.
A new Spanish houseworker (Paz Vega) is the catalyst for turmoil (or a much needed change) in the Clasky household, and the film attemps to explore the new 'family' that creeps out when the white suburban family gets real. Adam Sandler continues to transition from SNL's 'Opera Man' to a sensitive family man, giving a nice performance as chef John Clasky, the average man caught in a 4-star lifestyle. Tea Leoni, again, bitchy. The daughter (Sarah Steele) great as her dad's daughter (not her mom's), and Cloris Leachman damn funny as the drunk mother (you know, not all drunks are funny). Really, though, Paz Vega -- a famous (and more sensuous) actress in Mexico -- tones down the beauty and brings heart to the pivotal role. By engaging her daughter in this white affluent American lifestyle is she compromising her values and heritage?
The movie lags in certain scenes where we just aren't sure what the director wants.... yeah, surprises are good, but the audience is pulled in a lot of different directions. In short sometimes leaving us asking, "what's the point?" Overall, heartwarming and humorous.
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