How many times can Adam Sandler portray the same character? Apparently, there is no limit to that number.
Mr. Deeds has Sandler playing the gullible good guy once again. However, what worked for him in The Waterboy and Happy Gilmore has grown tired and predictable.
Longfellow Deeds is Sandler’s most recent character stretch (insert sarcasm). Deeds is a sweet-natured pizza parlor owner living in a small New Hampshire town. His passion for writing greeting cards and reading them to his customers has made him a local celebrity.
Suddenly Deeds is thrust into the life of a wealthy New York business owner when he inherits $40 billion from the uncle he never knew, Preston Blake (Harve Presnell). Off to the big city he goes, where he bombards New Yorkers with hugs and his small town charm.
Along the way, he saves Babe Bennett (Wynona Ryder) from being mugged. Little does he know that Bennett is actually an “Inside Access” producer trying to get the scoop on the new heir to the Blake fortune. She weasels her way into Deeds’ heart by playing the damsel in distress with help from her “Inside Access” co-worker Marty (Allen Covert).
Within the first half hour of the movie, it’s evident where this is going.
Although Bennett lies to Deeds and manipulates him, she ends up deeply caring for him. Just then Deeds discovers their relationship is a lie. But, of course, he forgives, and happily-ever-after ensues.
Thank you Sandler for not only playing the same character for the 10th time in a row, but using the same played-out plot done ten-hundred times. Although Mr. Deeds is an adaptation of the Academy Award®-winning 1936 classic Mr. Deeds Goes To Town, Sandler’s version doesn’t seem to evolve past the Sandleresque cheap humor.
The only saving grace to this movie is the few laughs sprinkled throughout the film.
John Turturro (Emilio) brings some fresh, comic relief to the film as Deeds’ personal butler.
There’s also a hilarious fight scene with Ryder and Conchata Ferrell (as Jan).
However, there’s not much to laugh about beyond what is in the trailer. Grade D
