Columbia Pictures Starring: Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken
Directed By: Frank Coraci
Rated: PG-13
Columbia Pictures
I never used to be an Adam Sandler fan. I thought he was rather annoying and grating, especially when he uses that little baby voice of his. But a couple of films over the years have changed my mind about him. The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates rank right up there with some of the better romantic comedies out there. So now, I give Adam Sandler a chance.
Click is the story of Michael Newman (Sandler), a workaholic architect who never seems to have time for his wife Donna (Beckinsale) or his kids. He means well, of course, but he just can't seem to get control over his life. Or his television. A technologically challenged man, Newman leaves the house in a huff one night, frustrated with everything including the fact that he doesn't have a universal remote control. The only place open when he goes out to pick one up is Bed Bath and Beyond...and it's in the Beyond section that he meets Morty (Walken), a mad-scientist-looking guy who provides Newman with the ultimate universal remote--one that controls not only the TV but Newman's entire existence. Everything is great at first, but Newman slowly figures out that the remote might not make his life the paradise he thought it would be.
Click is full of the kind of funny situations you would expect from its premise (many of which you've seen in the trailers for the film). Sandler gets into the role, as he does with most of his roles, and the movie is definitely fun and funny at first. As it progresses, however, the film takes a more serious turn. It's not unexpected...certainly, this story has been done before (but with a different sort of twist--Michael Keaton's Multiplicity), so we know what's ultimately coming. The thing is, I don't really like it when comedies turn too serious. If it's handled well (as it was in 50 First Dates, for example), the film continues to give us plenty to laugh at in spite of the serious moments. That's not the case in Click. After the film takes its serious turn, it actually becomes rather sad, and it kills the joy of the first two thirds of the film almost entirely.
I wouldn't say the film isn't worth seeing--it would make a fine rental. It's just not theater material.
But at least Adam Sandler doesn't use that little baby voice. Maybe he's gotten past that stage of his career.
Bottom line: Starts funny, but takes a very serious turn. Not destined to be an Adam Sandler classic.