Adam Sandler is an amazing talent. Successful actor, comedian, writer and producer. His track record over the years stands in testimony to his achievements and abilities. Adam Sandler: Funny Guy, is a 56:00-minute biography of Sandler and his films, directed by Danielle Winter and produced by Dana Webber. It should be well received by Adam Sandler’s fans. It spans and highlights his career right up to his new 2020, second production deal with Netflix.
Legacy Distribution reports, “Sandler, the boy from Brooklyn, did not need show biz connections to become a global superstar. Sandler has left his comedic mark on three decades of stage, screen and song. Adam’s lasting appeal has earned more than $2 billion at the box office. TV audiences got to know him as writer and performer on SNL during the early ‘90s. Forty-four films include Billy Madison (1995), Happy Gilmore (1996), The Waterboy (1998), The Wedding Singer (1998), Big Daddy (1999), Mr. Deeds (2002), 50 First Dates (2004), The Longest Yard (2005), Click (2006), Grown Ups (2010), Just Go With It (2011), Grown Ups II (2013), Blended (2014) and Murder Mystery (2019).”
“His 2019 dramatic role in the Netflix crime thriller, Uncut Gems, has yielded rave reviews and several prestigious awards. The Golden Globes, Grammy, Emmy and People’s Choice prizes have all taken note of his work. Adam remains a consistent favorite among fans who are comforted that they will always have a good time. “
Viewers of Adam Sandler: Funny Guy will gain insight into Sandler’s career and public persona. This happens in clips where Sandler interacts with the other actors in his films or is seen with friends. Clips with Henry Winkler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin James, Jennifer Aniston and others who have either worked with or know Sandler help give some depth to the biography. It makes for a good promotional bio on Sandler. But we need more than a newscaster style narrator reading facts, listing filmography, box office numbers and saying nice things about Sandler to make a documentary. Much of what is included is already known by Sandler fans, followers and filmgoers. Some of the best moments of the biography are when Sandler is shown being interviewed or speaking first-person. He is candid about his feelings. Adam Sandler: Funny Guy is worth watching but we really don’t learn much about Sandler and how he got to where he is currently. It is difficult to cover thirty years in 56 minutes. There are moments of insight into who Adam Sandler is, but not enough.
Adam Sandler deserves an in-depth documentary that looks at his career and how he has survived and achieved so much. It seems like Adam Sandler: Funny Guy, is a long trailer that leaves us wanting to know more about this talented, hardworking guy who happens to be funny. Perhaps the filmmakers were not able to go beyond a rather superficial public persona? What is Sandler like off-camera? Maybe Sandler is guarded about his private and working life? But a personal documentary-style biography needs to be more than archival clips and public events. To its credit Adam Sandler: Funny Guy does touch on Sandler’s issues with critical reviews of his films and performances. One of Sandler’s friends quotes John Cleese when talking about the critics and Sandler. Cleese is quoted as saying, “Critics, don’t even ignore them.”
Documentaries can be many things these days. But they should be more than a montage of clips and voice over narration. They always should inform and tell a story. A biographical documentary is no different. If it has a protagonist, tell his or her story. There should be a beginning, middle and end. Admittedly a good resume or CV tells a story of sorts. But a documentary should be more than a list of facts and achievements. Sandler’s actual story is about a guy who started out with no show business connections and apparently overcame a great deal of adversity to get to where he is today. What was the adversity? How did he do that? Where did he start? Who is his family? Why has he been able to achieve against these odds? What are the conflicts he encountered and how were they overcome? What does it take to get where he is at this time? What does it take to be a “Funny Guy?” It would be informative to meet Adam Sandler when he is not “on-stage.”
A documentary that might be inspirational in how to tell Adam Sandler’s story is Jerry Seinfeld Comedian. If this film was only about Jerry Seinfeld’s public biography and his deciding to resurrect his career as a stand-up comedian, after ending his hit TV show, it would be a rather narrowly focused and possibly a short story. But the documentary goes beyond this premise and explores a number of other issues and ideas about comedy, performing, career choices and just what it takes to be a comedian.
One of the interesting things about the Jerry Seinfeld documentary is the that it gives you a glimpse into the personality of the comedian or classic clown, the person who makes jokes on stage but has real human needs off stage. Jerry Seinfeld and maybe a couple dozen comics at any given time live a comfortable, successful life. There are scores of others living hand-to-mouth, trying to be funny.
Adam Sandler: Funny Guy is currently available on Amazon Prime. Fans of Adam Sandler and his films will enjoy the trip down memory lane, filmography of Sandler’s films and some moments with him.
Trailer
Review by James R (Jim) Martin – Writer, Director, Author.
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