Blended

FLIX!

I must admit something right up front. This was the first time I ever saw an Adam Sandler movie. Now, a lot of people would be shocked at that. I know lots of folks that love this guy and have seen all of his movies. And these are people whose opinion I respect. But, I just never was drawn to the guy. His Saturday Night Live sketches wherein he sang songs with nonsensical rhymes just left me flat. I never thought he was that funny.

And then there is Drew Barrymore. I will never forget that at a very young age when she was in "ET" how she would look at the camera and almost laugh, being totally out of character. Okay, I guess I have to forgive that in a kid. But I'm not going to give her a free pass because she's part of the renowned Hollywood Barrymore family. But I will acknowledge her because she has not always done great work, at least darn it, she's trying. And in some cases she's turning in some darned nice performances. See "Riding In Cars With Boys". It's not her fault she's not offered things of much substance. And she appreciates film ala Turner Classic Movies.

The Sandler/Barrymore onscreen thing started with "The Wedding Singer." And then there was "50 First Dates."And now this. "Blended."

So the story goes like this: Drew Barrymore (Lauren) is a recent divorcee who agrees to go on a blind date with Adam Sandler (Jim). Jim takes her to a Hooters for their date. She is a little put-off by this and it goes down-hill from there. Her wings are too hot and she does spit takes all over herself, and Sandler is phoning this scene in, and I thought, "yep, this is exactly why I have never gone to an Adam Sandler movie."

But then the story starts to shape up. We find out that Lauren is stuck raising two total misfit boys (who honestly could make a case for retro-abortion), and Jim has lost his wife to cancer. Jim also has three daughters, each with her own special set of challenges.

The date does not go well, and understandably each vows to never to see the other again. But then, the waitress went and mixed up their credit cards.....

Through a weird turn of events, both families end up being able to get a discounted vacation to a resort in Africa. And they run into each other. And because they each bought pieces of the same vacation, they have to share the dining table, and rooms etc.

Slowly the families warm up to each other and we slowly begin rooting for the two parents to get together. And slowly they begin to. Even to the point of a kiss, and then Jim just can't because he isn't ready.

Upon the return to the US, Jim finally decides that he's been foolish and that he loves Lauren. He goes to see her, but her ex is there creating mayhem. Soon enough though Jim can't stay away and of course there is a great ending.

Involved in all this is one of Jim's daughter's who can't let her mother go. There is a scene when she decides it's time because "Mom says she has lots of stuff to do" that had my wife in tears. His oldest is becoming a young woman with help from Lauren who is allowing and helping this daughter's feminine self to emerge. Jim meanwhile is helping one of the boys improve his baseball skills. Essentially being the father that the kid is lacking.

Overall I did like the movie. It had it's faults. A lot of them for my money. For instance, at the resort there is a singer with his back-up guys that are waayyyy over used and aren't funny, and still we see them time and time again. Some of the jokes try too hard and are predictable. (The kid in the petting zoo with a stuffed animal). The old guy that always falls asleep. Stupid, crummy, and is what makes for awful movies.

But there is the chemistry between Barrymore and Sandler that helps pull this out of the dumpster. I know the Producers thought they could save this by having all of the African shots to keep it interesting, and that might be so, but I think the casting here - and I don't mean just the adult leads, I mean Jim's daughters, was tremendous. Lauren's sons were hacks and terribly written. I hope they never work again. Well maybe I have to forgive that in a kid (again) and blame it on the writers. But still the girls were all good.

So overall a nice romantic comedy. My wife will want to buy the DVD. I might even watch it.

Grade: B-