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Jeff reviews:

Anger Management

April 11, 2003
2003, 1 hr 45 min., Rated PG-13 on appeal for crude sexual content and language.�Dir: Peter Segal. Cast: Jack Nicholson (Dr. Buddy Rydell), Adam Sandler (Dave Buznik), Marisa Tomei (Linda).

Sandler and Nicholson? Can't say I've ever thought of those two in the same sentence. That's as unsettling as the Subway Southwest Turkey & Bacon from lunch mixed with the Twizzlers in my stomach during the movie.

I swear I haven't been a sourpuss lately. I just didn't enjoy Anger Management as much as I hoped. Adam and Jack seemed like comedy gold, but fell flat. But ... mmmm....Marisa Tomei, now there's a dazzling image.

The plot is ridiculous, really just a machination so that we see Sandler and Nicholson interact. Problem is, it takes a half-hour for this to happen, leaving the audience tapping its feet in anticipation for the payoff.

Sandler is an assistant to a fat cat executive, creating catalogs for ... fat cats. Sorry, "husky" kitties. He has an "implosive" temper, holding everything in, rather than an "explosive" one where he can let it all out, in what is supposedly healthier. Jack is Dr. Rydell, the anger management counselor with, let's say, unconventional methods.

There's too much embarrassment through misunderstandings, the type that drives me insane and angry at the lazy screenwriters. It creates an uncomfortable movie, and ultimately an unfunny one, too. There were few gutbusters, and not even many chuckles.

It is a Sandler movie, so expect lame penis jokes and more rewarding physical humor. There are a few quality cameos by angry persons such as Bobby Knight and John McEnroe, not-so-Buddhist behavior from John C. Reilly, as well as she-male Woody Harrelson. There are also several New Yorkers, from former mayor Rudy Giulianit to Damn Yankees *shudder*.

If you're looking for a quality comedy this weekend, manage to drive to the video store. Or watch Basic. The unintentional comedy alone is better than this disappointment.

The verdict:

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