Whether you’re a fan of Adam Sandler’s brand of filmmaking or not, his chemistry with popular actress Drew Barrymore is undeniable. From their eccentric and comedic turn in The Wedding Singer back in 1998, to the more charming and heartfelt 50 First Dates six years later, the pair have always managed to bring the best out of one another. Now they’ve reunited once more in Frank Coraci’s Blended, which feels like something of a natural and organic progression for the pair, as themes of nostalgia, single parenting and growing up are explored – as though we’re almost chronicling their relationship through cinema, across the past 16 years. Like a below-par, uninventive ‘Before’ trilogy.
Following on from a disastrous blind date at Hooters, the widowed Jim (Sandler) and recently separated Lauren (Barrymore) are adamant in never crossing paths again. However when their mutual friends bail on a trip to South Africa, the respective families take the tickets, therefore spending a holiday in each other’s company, despite their very best efforts not to do so. As time progresses, and their children start bonding and benefiting from the flourishing relationship, it seems that the unlikely duo may just have something in common after all.
Even when Sandler and Barrymore and supposed to hate one another, there’s a palpable spark between them, as their dialogue, even when spiteful, flows so effortlessly. It’s essentially what prevents this film from being completely terrible, because while certainly flawed in many areas, at the heart of it is a romance we can believe in, which is a crucial asset for any romantic comedy to bear. In many regards this shares a similar tone and gentile atmosphere of 50 First Dates, and the filmmaker is evidently aware of this fact, playing up to it by providing a cameo for Allen Covert, reimagining the very same, ‘Ten Second Tom’ character, as a strange, meta crossover of the two pictures. However where the aforementioned title works so well, is within the story, and this simply hasn’t got the narrative to match.
That being said, the storyline where Jim’s two daughters are craving that motherly figure, and Lauren’s boisterous kids longing for a father is, while immensely unsubtle and mawkish, actually rather well-handled. It’s indelicate to say the least, but works well as an accompaniment to the leading story and the inanity that exists, as their respective relationships with the other’s kids are a key factor in their coming together.
In the meantime, it’s refreshing to see Sandler return back to basics, devoid of any silly accent or dressing up like a woman, it’s just him as he is. Though to many that will be something of a deterrent, he’s got an affability about his demeanour, and a charm of sorts. He’s back playing the traditional Sandler character, the sort we see in Big Daddy, or Billy Madison, as he merely makes minor alterations, ultimately playing variations of the same role. He’s become something of a Razzie’s favourite, but his audience are bound to appreciate this title, and essentially that’s what matters. This film is reminiscent of Sandler of old, full up of the small quirks, and strange characters and outlandish, surreal moments. Most of which are distinctively unfunny, but they’re familiar to his universe and in a strange way, somewhat comforting.
Blended is conventional and predictable in every way, shape and form, making it extremely easy to indulge in – just as long as you let yourself zone out for a while and take this for it is. However the stereotypical aspects are infuriatingly and needlessly employed, ensuring this film has little to no unique identity of its own. So it works both ways.
[Rating:2/5]
