 ANGER MANGEMENT
MPAA Rating:
 for crude sexual content and language. Reviewed by: Megan Basham CONTRIBUTOR
Starring: Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson, Krista Allen, Marisa Tomei, Allen Covert | Directed by: Peter Segal | Produced by: Barry Bernardi, Derek Dauchy, Todd Garner, Jack Giarraputo | Written by: Dave Dorfman, David Dorfman | Distributor: Sony Pictures Something the average, movie-going public needs to understand about critics is that when your job is to see at least one movie a week, like any other job, sometimes you just don't feel like showing up. And that mood can affect your work. You get so tired of seeing the same plot lines week in and week out that you end up praising any indie-production that offers even the slightest variation on a tried and true theme. As such, it's no wonder movie-reviewers often fall out of step with mainstream audiences and are quite rightly accused of occasionally losing touch with the general audience. Ever gone to some whacked-out movie on the advice of Roger Ebert and left thinking, "this guy's supposed to be an expert?!?" Well, what you were experiencing was probably the result of film-critic burnout. The poor man had seen so many sparkling, romantic comedies full of sparkling, romantic young actresses that suddenly watching three homely women talk about suicide and depression for two and a half hours seemed inexplicably entertaining. Forgive us. Obviously we do our best to set these emotional influences aside, but from time to time, they manage to creep in. And I have a feeling that Adam Sandler's latest film, Anger Management, may be a just such a case of weary movie reviewers coming down a little too hard on a film that is simply trying to serve up what the audience is hungry for. Is it fairly predictable? Yes. Does Sandler do all those little things his fans have grown to love? Yes. Is it still funny? Sometimes. And with the always eccentric Jack Nicholson thrown in the mix, Anger Management still manages to kick out a few surprises. 
Here, Sandler plays Dave Buznik, an executive assistant who, no matter how unjust the situation or cruel the treatment, never loses his temper. Even when his boss takes credit for his pet-clothing designs (geared hysterically towards the "husky" kitty), Dave never raises his voice and seems content to watch another man steal his girlfriend simply because a childhood trauma has left him unable to stand up for himself. That is until a series of outlandish events land him in group therapy with the world's foremost anger authority, Dr. Buddy Rydell (Nicholson). Known for his unorthodox approach, Dr. Buddy's mantra is "temper is the one thing you can't get rid of by losing it." He's confident his new patient is an "implosive" rage-aholic and employs various methods designed to help Dave release his anger on an unsuspecting world. Though he turned in a wonderfully understated performance in About Schmidt, there is something delicious about watching Jack be Jack--waggling eyebrows, wolfish grin, and all. In fact, without Nicholson's obvious relish at getting to be himself again, the film could have easily been a total wash. As it is, despite its formulaic story line and over-emphasis on Adam Sandlerisms like constant intrusive cameos (Rudy Guiliani's being the most ridiculous) Anger Management manages to rouse some laughter--that is until jokes about pornography and transsexual prostitution make you want to grab the arms of the young teenagers next to you and haul them out of theater. This film pole vaults over the PG-13 line. Not only does constant profanity (including the f-word) disrupt some of the funniest scenes, so do two groping lesbians. This is particularly disappointing as Sandler's quirky humor doesn't require sleaze to make us chuckle. In fact, when his comedies really work, it's usually because they take us back to a place of childish emotions. Many of us might like to give a wedgie to the kid who tormented us in grade school, but we don't because, well, we're adults. However, we can enjoy living vicariously through Sandler as he pitches golf clubs and dominates a game of grade school dodge-ball. He may think sexual vulgarity is what his audience is clamoring for, but call me nave, the Adam Sandler that makes me, and I believe many others, laugh is the overgrown kid whose setbacks and triumphs celebrate the child in us all. Bring on the snack-packs and dodge ball. Year of Release—2003 
Negative - This movie is just plain horrible. The amount of objectionable
material in this movie is crazy! It seems they
tried to make the "dirtiest possible" PG-13 Movie. This was one of the
worst movies I have ever seen. I do not reccomend this movie to anyone. Negative - This movie could have been very funny, well done and even
influenced reflection on our own anger issues and how we deal with things had there not been so many "flesh issues." Too often anymore this is downplayed as "no big deal," but it is a big deal. Just a couple of weeks
ago on a Christian Web site, I saw nudity referred to as "eye candy" and it
sickened me! This is a problem and honestly ruined an otherwise great
movie for me. Negative - This movie's premise was pretty weak to begin with, but because I
like Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson, I decided to see it even before
reading the review from this Web site. I was shocked at the offensive
content…for starters, two lesbian porn stars kissing passionately and
many conversations about the size of a man's penis (and how important
"size" is, etc). It was funny at times, but certainly not enough laughs to
take away the uncomfortable feeling of having my 15 year old daugther
there with me. Definately for more mature audiences only. Negative - The movie trailer was better than the movie if that is possible.
Strong and consistant homosexual, lesbian, transvestite undertones present throughout.
Constant references to the size of male anatomy. Some foul launguage. I
felt terrible that I went to see this PG-13 movie with my family, ages 15
and up. This could have been a good movie if it wasn't for all the garbage
that Hollywood put in it. Never again will I go to a movie without first
stoping in to this Web site for a Christian review.
Negative - A good story if they would tone down or eliminate the sexual
content and politically correct homosexual messages. Skimpy clothing,
many overt references to sexual cultural stereotypes on what women and men
want sexually in their partners as far as physical anatomy etc. Two
lesbian porno stars making out in the anger group as the men watch with
mouths open and wishing them too continue. Too much bad to wade
through to get to the meat for me. Negative - Much of the humor in this movie is sexual, continual and
offensive. My 14-year-old felt it could have been a good movie, but the
humor was extremely embarrassing. Negative - As usual, Hollywood takes a humorous plot and ruins it with
constant references to men's genitals, homosexual, transexual themes, and
cursing. I am always appalled to see kids under 13 at a PG-13 movie. Even
13 and over should be embarrassed by scenes such as the two lesbians
kissing. Jack Nicholson, as the crazed "anger management" psycologist and
Sandler as the overwhelmed patient are both funny in many places but don't
waste your money on this one. Negative - I was very excited to see this movie because the previews looked
hilarious. I had to walk out after 30 min becuase of the vulgar humor.
Honestly, this movie was just plain stupid and every joke had to do with
sex or sexuality. Don't waste your money. Negative - Though the story line is appealing, and Jack Nicholson nearly
perfect in his performance, it's hard to give a positive recommendation for
this film, since the script is permeated with so many sexual jokes,
phallic references, lesbian kissing, and other tasteless and immoral
conversations. If the believer is committed to obeying Eph. 4:29, "Do not
let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful
for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those
who listen," then this movie is not a help to that commitment. |
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