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As Adam Sandler seemingly tries to combine his style of comedy with his more appreciated dramatic works, we get the very rough The Week Of.
| Director(s) | Robert Smigel | |
| Screenplay By | Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel | |
| Date Released | 4/27/2018 | |
| Genre(s) | Comedy, Drama | |
| Noted Actors | ||
| Sarah | Allison Strong | |
| Tyler | Roland Buck III | |
| Kenny | Adam Sandler | |
| Noah | Noah Robbins | |
| Uncle Seymour | Jim Barone | |
| Kirby | Chris Rock | |
| Morgan | Rachel Pegram | |
| Katrina | Melanie Nicholls-King | |
| Hanan | Nasser Faris | |
Summary
With it being days before his daughter’s, Sarah’s, wedding, and him not being as rich as the groom’s, Tyler’s, father, Kenny is struggling and losing his mind a bit. If it isn’t issues with the hotel that Tyler’s family is staying at, it is Kenny’s own family which is eccentric to the point of being ludicrous. We have Noah whose issues make it where he seems to be a danger to himself and others. Uncle Seymour who lost both legs to diabetes and despite the number of people who end up at Kenny’s house, for some reason Kenny – solely – is expected to lift him to the bathroom. All this nonsense is part of the comedic side of the movie.
The dramatic side is about Kenny loving being needed and finding some validation in that. Since with it seeming, in his job as a contractor, clients don’t always listen and despite the work he does, him not being higher up, at home he is a bit of a big shot. People rely on him and it gives him a sense of purpose. So, while he has two other kids and a wife, losing his eldest daughter, even to a good man, is a bit hard. Making it where her send-off, this wedding, he wants to do right since he sees it as the last thing he’ll need her for.
Then, in terms of Tyler’s father Kirby, being that he is a surgeon, one seemingly quite accomplished, he wasn’t around for neither his son or daughter’s life. He financed their lives, but when it comes to his daughter Morgan he knows barely a thing about her and Tyler? While they are cool, it isn’t on the level of Kenny and Sarah. Something which hits Kirby a bit and makes him a bit jealous and remorseful. Yet, despite their plethora of issues, also thankful to his ex-wife Katrina for while they may have their issues, she still did most of the work raising their kids and they turned out well.
Other Noteworthy Facts & Moments
- Tyler and Sarah are around 23 and they have a Jewish wedding.
Highlights
The Heart of the Film Is The Best Part
While Adam Sandler’s comedies are an acquired taste, no one can deny that his dramatic acting grows stronger as his comedic films get weaker. This is certainly true for The Week Of for while comedy is the main focus, with the film building up this idea he is a traditional family man trying to live up to the patriarch role, you get it. Below all the crazy family members and the nonsense at the hotel, what he wants is to be the guy everyone can rely on.
You know, the guy who knows everyone, has a solution, or a makeshift one, and will find a way to make what you need to happen? That’s how he feels validated, loved, and sees his role in his household and community. Something Kirby doesn’t necessarily have and you see that by everyone clowning him. For despite how much he is willing to pay, he never really has the opportunity to be one of the family.
Work consumes his time and that is followed by seeking a sense of being desired by women who seem to be short term. Yet, perhaps for Kirby, while he is likely having a long ho phase, you can tell there remains some desire to be wanted and loved. Perhaps even without him writing a check being involved.
So, and I mean this truly, as we come to the last 20 minutes and the realization hits, it is hard to not feel for Kenny and Kirby as they feel loss and perhaps a bit of regret. Maybe even to the point of tearing up a little. Making you wish that was more so the focus than what we got.
On The Fence
How Funny You May Find This
Though not a fan of Adam Sandler’s comedy, I will admit I laughed a few times throughout the film. Especially in regards to Uncle Seymour’s character and then there were jokes I’m not sure I should have laughed at. Such as the ones dealing with Hanan, who owned the hotel Tyler’s family was supposed to stay at. In a way, Hanan, who only laughs and barely speaks, kind of comes off as a stereotype and could be offensive to some. The same goes for Tyler’s family who, if Kenny isn’t mistaking random Black people on the street for them, it is minor things which make you want to side eye if the actors/ character are supposed to be in on the joke or the joke.
Overall: Mixed (Divisive)
Sort of like Tyler Perry, you can see Adam Sandler grow with time and yet struggle in growing while trying to keep hold of the audience that got them to this point. Yet, since Sandler isn’t necessarily an auteur, you can see his progress much more easily and more consistently. Thus making it so, while the comedy and characters are classic Sandler, the heart underneath the nonsense comes from the side of him many probably wished we got to see more, Making it seem in writing this with Smigel, there is some attempt to combine Sandler’s comedic and dramatic side into one cohesive film.
Leading to why this is being labeled mixed: While you must applaud the effort, it is nowhere near good or perfected. We’re still seeing an experiment in progress and while you have to appreciate the growth, I feel that this isn’t the movie you can use to show Sandler is at a new phase of his career. He is still transitioning and seeing what happens.
It’s sort of like stand up. What we get from The Week Of is him still trying to perfect a new routine but allowing it to be filmed for criticism. So that, after taking note of what was good and bad, he can eventually reach a pinnacle which can be the diamond in his largely brass crown.
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