JUST GO WITH IT (2011)

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: Dennis Dugan
Cast: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Bailee Madison, Brooklyn Decker, Dave Matthews, Heidi Montag
RunTime: 1 hr 50 mins
Released By: Sony Pictures Releasing International
Rating: PG (Brief Nudity and Some Sexual References)
Official Website: http://www.justgowithit-movie.com/

Opening Day: 10 February 2011

Synopsis: In "Just Go With It", a plastic surgeon, romancing a much younger schoolteacher, enlists his loyal assistant to pretend to be his soon to be ex-wife, in order to cover up a careless lie. When more lies backfire, the assistant's kids become involved, and everyone heads off for a weekend in Hawaii that will change all their lives.

Movie Review:

Come on, did you really think that this romantic comedy would be different from the tons of stuff which are already out there in Hollywood? And seriously, did you really think that this Happy Madison production would be different from founder Adam Sandler’s previous comedies I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007), Bedtime Stories (2008) and Grown Ups (2010)?

So yes, you can expect the usual tricks from the Saturday Night Live alumnus. And this also means, if you are a fan of toilet humour and crass jokes, then you’d be in for a treat with Sandler’s latest work.

After knowing each other for 20 years, Sandler and everyone’s favourite Friend Jennifer Anniston finally decide to team together in a comedy telling the story of a plastic surgeon (Sandler in another unbelievable leading role) who asks his assistant (Anniston in another loveable role) to pose as his divorced wife in order to prove his honesty to his much younger girlfriend. Things get a little more fun when two fatherless children, a horny ex patient and a competitive sorority companion come into the picture. The result is a trip to Hawaii that will change everyone’s lives.

If you haven’t already heard, Oscar winner Nicole Kidman is part of the ensemble of this 110 minute movie. No? You haven’t seen any publicity stills of the elegant Australian in her Hawaiian grass hula skirt getup? And you just took another look at the movie poster to make sure that she is nowhere to be found? Nope, you don’t remember seeing her in the theatrical trailer too? We can only guess that the reason Kidman has disappeared from all the publicity materials is to increase her chances at winning the Best Actress statuette (for John Cameron Mitchell’s Rabbit Hole) at the upcoming Academy Awards. But we can also tell you that she is quite a hoot to watch as an over the top snob.

Watch out for the scene where she and female lead Anniston (both dressed in skimpy hula skirts) fight it out in a coconut kissing competition. Without giving away too much, let’s just say this showdown involves body gyrating, lip locking and some very impressive butt action.

Based on the 1969 film Cactus Flower which was adapted by an earlier Broadway stage play, which was based upon the French play Fleur de cactus, this by the numbers comedy serves some laughs, and Sandler effortlessly delivers them while playing the protagonist with the good heart. With a script by Allan Loeb and Timothy Dowling, director Dennis Dugan probably didn’t have a hard time churning this movie out, having directed Sandler five times before this.

Turning 42 this year, Anniston shows us what she’s got in yet another commercial movie, playing the girl with the charm. Supporting cast include fashion model Brooklyn Decker (check out her assets!), comedian Nick Swardson (check out his gross out sheep saving skills!) and musician Dave Matthews (check out how he smothers Kidman!), as well as two adorable child talents Bailee Madison and Griffin Gluck, who have some of the movie’s best lines.

While this predictable comedy doesn’t sparkle, it has its pleasant moments and a few decent setups which will have you chuckling in glee. And that may be a good thing, because if you are looking for a frills free date movie this Valentine’s Day, this will just do the trick of spending those two hours in the cinema.

Movie Rating:



(A frothy romantic comedy that won’t tax your brain cells)

Review by John Li