Reel Critics

Clem Dominquez

Adam Sandler stars in the remake of a 1936 movie “Mr. Deeds goes to

Town,” replacing Gary Cooper in the lead role. While I can’t say I

disliked the movie, I just felt like I’ve seen it all before. It seems

that sometimes when an actor gets a couple of hits they just do the same

type of movie over and over.

Longfellow Deeds (Adam Sandler) owns a pizza parlor in a small town in

New Hampshire called Mandrake Falls. Deed’s 82-year-old uncle, who he

never met, dies in a climbing accident just before ascending to the

summit. Turns out that his uncle is not only rich, but owns a corporate

empire and has no known living heirs.

The movie has some funny parts and leaves you with a warm and fuzzy

feeling, but other than that it’s very predictable. All of Sander’s

friends get their usual cameo appearances, which makes it even more

predictable.

I did like Winona Ryder, although she played the tabloid reporter as

too nice right from the beginning. Sandler seemed like he was just going

through the motions. The only really good performance was by the Spanish

butler with the foot fetish (John Turturro). I liked the way he kept

people disarmed by appearing out of nowhere.

I would probably wait for the video on this one unless you’re a

die-hard Sandler fan. I give the movie a C on my enjoyment scale and a

two on my belly-laugh meter.

* CLEM DOMINGUEZ, 57, is an aspiring screenwriter and film fanatic.