Adam Sandler plays Michael Newman, a workaholic architect who slaves for his boss (David Hasselhoff) and neglects his hottie wife (Kate Beckinsale), two cute kids and a dog who plays humpy-pumpy with a stuffed duck.
One day, while shopping at Bed, Bath & Beyond (one of the film’s many brand plugs), Michael meets Morty (Christopher Walken channelling Christopher Lloyd), a mad scientist who gifts him with a universal remote that not only controls his TV but allows him to travel back and forth in time and even freeze-frame his life.
Sex and excrement sight gags abound in typical Sandler fashion, though the scene in which Michael puts his boss on “pause,” slaps him hard and then farts in his face would have to mature a few years to be called juvenile.
It’s when the script, by Steve Koren and Mark O’Keefe, tries to grow a heart that disaster strikes. Director Frank Coraci indulges his star in the worst sentimental excess. It’s as if the filmmakers had decided to force-blend Scrooge with It’s a Wonderful Life to preach the most treacly message ever about family values.
Michael fast-forwards 30 years to find himself divorced, lonely, morbidly obese (in a fat suit borrowed from Mike Myers’ Fat Bastard), battling cancer and a massive heart attack – in the pouring rain, yet.
In the film’s sap-sucking nadir, he revisits the last time he saw his father (Henry Winkler sagging under ageing latex), ignoring the old man to take care of business. Now he plays back his father’s last words over and over. “I love you, son.” Click. “I love you, son.” Click. “I love you, son.” Click.
Can no one save the talented Sandler from himself?
Michael Newman
Adam Sandler Donna Newman
Kate Beckinsale Morty
Christopher Walken John Ammer
David Hasselhoff Ted Newman
Henry Winkler Trudy Newman
Julie Kavner Bill
Sean Astin Ben Newman at 7 Years Old
Joseph Castanon Ben Newman at 17 Years Old
Jonah Hill Ben Newman as an adult
Jake Hoffman Samantha Newman at 5 Years Old
Tatum McCann Samantha Newman at 14 Years Old
Lorraine Nicholson Samantha at 27 Years Old
Katie Cassidy Kevin O’Doyle
Cameron Monaghan Janine
Jennifer Coolidge Alice/Alan
Rachel Dratch Stacy
Sophie Monk Linda
Michelle Lombardo Julie Newman
Jana Kramer Bed, Bath & Beyond Guy
Nick Swardson Dr Bergman
Sid Ganis Watsuhita Head Executive
Michael Yama Kirsten
Katheryn Cain Michael at 10 Years Old
Emilio Cast Kathy O’Doyle
Carolyn Hennesy Ping Woo
Elliott Cho Ping Woo’s Father
Alan Au Judy
Jenae Altschwager Singer
Dolores O’Riordan Aunt Peggy
Sally Insul
Director
Frank Coraci
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Michael fast-forwards 30 years to find himself divorced, lonely, morbidly obese (in a fat suit borrowed from Mike Myers’ Fat Bastard), battling cancer and a massive heart attack – in the pouring rain, yet.
