Michael Jeter Books

I have to say Anger Management was the best Adam Sandler film I'd seen since Big Daddy back in 2003. Sandler and Jack Nicholson have great chemistry in this funny comedy. The trailer pretty much gives you the plot but unlike some comedys the trailer doesn't spoil all the jokes. The cameos and in jokes put tears in my eyes in this film. The film is taking a beating from some folks and from critics but just go and see this film with a open mind and enjoy it.

This movie is pretty funny. If you like other Adam Sandler movies (Waterboy, Happy Gilmore, etc.) then you will like this one as well.

Adam Sandler is one of those actors who hits and misses with the best of them. Perhaps one of the more successful alumni from SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE when it comes to the crossover to film, he started big and has since dropped down a bit. This could be explained by the fact that he chose to almost make the same movie over and over again and then tried to do something completely different. I mean BILLY MADISON, HAPPY GILMORE and THE WATERBOY were basically all about a bumbling idiot who ended up doing well. And folks enjoyed those movies.

Although you can't make the same movie forever and expect it to do well, shifting gears to portray a son of the Devil didn't seem to be a good career move. And MR.DEEDS didn't do so hot either as he chose to make the bumbling idiot a sap instead. So it's great to see that he's chosen to take his abilities in a different direction and do it right with this film.

ANGER MANAGEMENT features Sandler as Dave Buznik, a backwards, overworked and underappreciated exec who does the work while his boss garners the rewards. On a plane trip to join him to present a new idea, Dave is charged with assault on a stewardess simply because he asks for a set of headphones all the while being ignored. The judge sentences Dave to anger management therapy. His therapist? Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson), the passenger who sat next to him on the plane egging him on.

In group therapy, Dave continues his backward ways. When he gets slightly miffed about the way Buddy is handling things, Buddy tells him that he's going to require more intensive therapy.

Moving in with Dave, Buddy takes over his life. He goes with him to work, hits on his girlfriend, spouts off to his boss and goes so far as to sleep in the same bed with him since the apartment is so small. He goes as far as to make Dave confront his old grade school nemesis, now a peace loving Buddhist monk!

Through it all we are allowed to see Dave as he changes. Buddy's techniques may be a bit odd and at one point we all might hate him as he seems about to do something dreadful (hey I don't want to spoil everything), but the results and the changes that Dave goes through are there for us to see. And the twist at the end comes out of nowhere, making sense and giving the whole movie an even better feel.

Had this movie been made with just anyone, it might not have turned out near as well. But Sandler and Nicholson both turn in tremendous performances. Sandler's bumbler has become a character with abilities that he just hasn't tapped into yet. And Nicholson's Dr. Buddy is one of his most eccentric and yet endearing as well.

The laughs here are natural and ones that will not only tickle but make you guffaw at times as well. If you need something that lifts your spirits and makes you smile then you might want to rent this one tonight.

I am not the worlds biggest Adam Sandler fan. This movie was pretty darn funny.

Also... Heather Graham is reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally pretty.

After reading a tirade of silly,angry and vicious comments on one of my Amazon Friend's review of THE GOLDEN COMPASS,I found the Adam Sandler/Jack Nicholson ANGER MANAGEMENT right up my alley for one reason alone: to view the different ways that people express anger.Some people blurt out instantly and destroy everything and everyone around them, while others hold it in until they "shoot everyone" as Nicholson,the therapist explains to his reluctant patient Dave (Sandler).Interesting, that both ways to manage anger end with the same result!!!!! Ignoring an irritating fly is one of the toughest things we humans will ever do!!!!That is just what my Amazon Friend did...he ignored the comments.....SMART FRIEND!
This film really loses a lot of steam after the first 60 minutes, and jokes that were funny fall flat and tiresome as the film limps along senselessly for the next 40 minutes.This is not to say that this film is without merit.There is one very funny scene on the Queensboro Bridge where Nicholson stops Sandler from driving in order to teach him the song "I Feel Pretty" from WEST SIDE STORY.All-in-all, though, the film remains a "one trick pony",albeit one that does contain a valuable lesson for anyone who has ever felt anger at least once in their life!
Interesting how a film that really is pretty lame can still step up to the plate and give one food for thought....especially when you review movies!!!