Click (2006) User Reviews

It "Clicks", Alright

[zkonedog · 7/10 · 10 March 2017]

When one thinks of an Adam Sandler film, the phrase "juvenile humor" immediately comes to mind, filled with low-brow humor and outlandish acting. Fortunately, "Click" is a departure (for the most part) from that categorization by providing an interesting story, developed characters, and very solid acting.

For a basic plot summary, "Click" sees Michael Newman (Sandler) struggling to find time for his family while wearing himself out for his never-impressed boss. On a routine trip to find a universal TV remote, Michael runs into a crazy scientist (played by Christopher Walken) who gives him a "universal remote", alright...one that can control his entire life! Hilarity, emotions, & hijinks ensue.

Besides the novel concept, this movie outshines other Sandler flicks due to its heart. While shaping up (in the early goings) to be a hijinks comedy, somewhere along the way a heavy dose of emotion is thrown into the proceedings. By the end of the film, the viewer will actually care about the main characters and want to see their resolutions.

Granted, "Click" does still contain some of the typical Sandler low-brow humor, but it isn't too over-the-top or suffocating. Far outweighing that aspect is the above-average acting from pretty much the entire cast, which produces a real connection between characters and audience.

Overall, "Click" is a fun little movie (though not for the younger kiddies) that may (at least in a small way) change your perception of Mr. Sandler. This isn't his goofy "Waterboy" or farcical "Billy Madison". Instead, director Frank Coraci crafts an actual storyline filled with character development and fun concepts.

This review is for those who generally DON'T like Adam Sandler movies

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 1 June 2008]

I have never been a fan of Adam Sandler, though I have seen a few of his movies. I am in my 40s and I notice that the appeal for him seems to be with teenagers and young adults--and I assume most of the reviews here are by younger reviewers. So here is a review that might be a little different--a 40-something who is a bit of a hard sell.

Overall, I was surprised that I did like this film as much as I did. It was far deeper and less dopey than films like BILLY MADISON and HAPPY GILMORE and seemed like an attempt by the rapidly aging Sandler to make a more adult film. While there are still lots of crude jokes that fell flat for me (such as the dog and the stuffed animal), there was still plenty to like and a depth that surprised me. Also, while there were some comedic moments, after a while it became obvious that this was really a comedy-drama--with the second half of the film being very serious and even touching.

So here we seem to have an Adam Sandler movie that might just appeal to kids AND parents--one that everyone can get something out of and enjoy. I am happy I saw this one and wouldn't mind seeing more films like it.

an Adam Sandler film that made me cry!

[applejosh1991 · 7/10 · 2 March 2016]

"Click" is a interesting film hybrid of comedy, drama and some science fiction with adam sandler and somehow it worked.

most adam sandler films tends to the dumb-comedy crowd with he's very old 90's comedy shtick that "Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore" started but repeated many times later which give sandler the negative reputation since, but then he give a mature performances in "Punch-Drunk Love", "The Longest Yard", "Reign Over Me" and even "Funny People" he can do drama and be believable without force comedy along with his annoying voice.

Click is more or less sci-fi retailing of "it's a wonderful life" about an workaholic architect who has slow-life with his family and getting problems from his boss, after some shopping he discovers by a mysterious person a special remote control which he can skip time (fast forward) and change things in the present (Pause or Mute), at first he's enjoys it's advantages, but slowly it controls his workaholic life, destroying his marriage, relationship with his children and he's family.

the film has few comedic moment early-on but their are very sandler standers, but when it get emotional and dramatic it make the film more than just another dumb-comedy.

the scene where adam sandler's character finds out that his father died it's probably the saddest heart-breaking scene i have ever seen in a film that's how much family is important. Henry Winkler who playing the father gives an excellent performance very strong and emotional.

Puts Kubrick to shame

[gamerboss-94978 · 8 December 2019]

Only a 10 can be given to this monumental art piece that changed cinema forever.

Adam can act

[hall895 · 7/10 · 17 August 2011]

It's not the typical Adam Sandler movie and thank goodness for that. This movie has some actual drama, some real heart to it. It's not all lowbrow toilet humor. Has Adam Sandler grown up? Even in this more grownup venture he apparently just couldn't help himself, tossing in the obligatory disgusting fart joke. But we'll give him a a pass on that one because pretty much everything else in the movie shows a refreshing maturity. Well, OK maybe not the humping dogs. But what do you want? Sandler's never going to go full-blown serious dramatist and who'd want him to? This movie maintains the humor Sandler is known for but also gives you a story you actually care about and moments of great emotion and poignancy. Along the way Sandler gets to show that he does have some actual serious acting chops. One scene with him and his father, played by Henry Winkler, particularly stands out. Here Sandler's character has so much emotion coursing through him. And Sandler performs the scene so well you feel the emotion right along with him. Very well done, and more than a little surprising from an actor who is not known for this sort of thing.

The story revolves around Sandler's character of Michael, an overworked architect whose family takes a backseat in his quest for career advancement. He loves his family, he just doesn't have the time for them. Then he meets Morty, a mysterious man who bestows upon Michael a gift which will make things so much simpler. It's a universal remote which actually control's Michael's universe. Now he's got all the time he needs. He can pause, rewind, fast forward. But inevitably there will be complications. Michael ends up fast forwarding through his whole life. He misses everything. And he gets really, really fat. It seems in order to really appreciate life Michael had to miss it. Can he get it back? According to Morty that's not part of the deal.

Those expecting a straight comedy are going to be very surprised with Click, but probably pleasantly so. There are plenty of laughs but nothing that's really uproariously funny. And most of the comedy is shoehorned into the first half of the film. The second half takes on a more serious, at times even somber, tone. A somber Adam Sandler movie? Who wants to watch that? You should. Sandler breaks out of the little box that is his admittedly wildly successful career to try something a little bit different and it pays off. Sandler is really terrific in this. And he's got great support from the rest of the cast, most notably the always reliably brilliant Christopher Walken playing the eccentric Morty. Not everything in the movie works perfectly. Some jokes fall flat, some dramatic moments don't grab you quite as much as they should. But most of it works, and works very well at that. Adam Sandler can make you laugh. Turns out he can tug on your heartstrings too. Who knew?

Silly comedy that actually teaches you a valuable lesson

[hanalisss · 6/10 · 28 July 2023]

Heartwarming and thought-provoking comedy-drama that brings laughter and tears in equal measure.

First and foremost, Adam Sandler's performance as Michael Newman is delightful. He brings his signature humor and charm to the character, making Michael a relatable and endearing protagonist. Sandler's portrayal evolves from lighthearted comedy to moments of genuine emotion, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

The film's premise of a magical remote control that controls time is a unique and creative concept. The comedic moments, especially when Michael uses the remote to manipulate situations, bring a lot of laughs. However, as the story progresses, the film takes an unexpectedly poignant turn, exploring the importance of family and the value of living in the present.

The emotional depth of the narrative is beautifully balanced with humor, making Click a touching and heartwarming film. It manages to tug at your heartstrings while still delivering moments of laugh-out-loud comedy.

The supporting cast, including Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken, and David Hasselhoff, complements Sandler's performance with their own comedic talents. The interactions between the characters add to the film's overall charm.

The film's exploration of the consequences of chasing success at the expense of family time is relatable and thought-provoking. It serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing the moments with our loved ones.

In conclusion, Click is a touching and enjoyable film that offers a perfect blend of humor and heartfelt moments. With Adam Sandler's engaging performance, the creative premise, and the film's valuable message, it's a movie that leaves a lasting impression.

If you're looking for a comedy-drama that brings laughter, tears, and valuable life lessons, Click is a must-watch. It's a film that reminds us to appreciate the present and cherish the time we have with our loved ones.

What If You Had A Universal Remote... That Controlled Your Universe?

[Lady_Targaryen · 7/10 · 30 March 2007]

Michael Newman loves his family. But he wants to be promoted no matter what, since in this way he could spend more time with his wife, Donna, and Ben and Samantha, his kids. One day,he argues with Donna that he could not stay with his family in an important camp day, and goes out, angry, to buy a universal remote control, since he always had problems with the amount of remote controls they had in their house. He then meets Morty, a strange man and inventor that gives him a one-of-a-kind universal remote control, that cannot be returned. Michael finds out that the remote is literally universal: it controls the universe, and interprets his wishes,altering time and reality, as well as he can ''forward'' things he doesn't want to wait and ''pause'' others. Michael starts using the remote in his way, and discovers that he boss waits forever to give him a promotion, while making him spend more and more time with work each time. The time passes very quick, and the remote is automatically programmed (by his usage of it) to skip or fast-forward many important things of Michael's life. When he sees the thing is out of control, he tries to destroy the remote, but it doesn't work.

''Click '' is a mix of comedy and drama, but if I needed to choose a category, it would be drama for sure. The funny parts are only in the beginning and the rest of the movie it's actually sad. It's the first movie with Adam Sandler that I think is worthwhile to watch, since it is the first movie I watch with him that is not full of silly jokes. ( I think comedy actors should make more drama movies - it's impressive how many of them actually are good and beyond the silly cheap movies. Like Jim Carrey, who was great in ''Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind''). The movie is a life lesson for itself, since it shows a man who faces the consequences of always putting his family behind his work duties, a thing that happens a lot in our modern society. It's very sad to see how Michael's anxiety for promotion, made him be so away from his family and a cold man, as well as his family giving up on him.

As I read in the message board, this movie has many things in common to ''It's a Wonderful Life'', a movie that I would definitely recommend to everybody to watch before or after ''Click''.

A genuinely funny movie drowned out by a loud moral.

[GoldTurkey · 4/10 · 1 August 2006]

A good movie is like a good song: all the parts have to harmonize. No matter how good one instrument is, if another one clashes with it, that's all you'll notice.

Such is the case with "Click". Yes, "Click" is funny. Yes, there were points where I was laughing out loud. But sadly, this movie is a victim of a loud, discordant moral that doesn't really...click.

Michael Newman (Sandler) is a workaholic architect who has no time for his family. A slave to his dumb boss (David Hasselhoff), most of his free time is spent doing work, much to the chagrin of his wife (Kate Beckinsale) and kids.

One day, while traveling to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Michael wanders into the "Way Beyond" section, which is maintained by Morty (Christopher Walken), a wacky inventor. He gives Michael a sleek new universal remote which, interestingly enough, controls his universe.

Michael couldn't be more thrilled with this, and uses it to skip over parts of life he views trivial (family time, sex, time leading up to promotions, sickness). Of course, a problem soon manifests: the self-programming remote automatically begins skipping over these things without his input.

This movie does have a lot going for it: a strong cast (Hasselhoff scores as the boss, and Henry Winkler is good as Michael's dad), genuinely funny scenes (the sexual harassment scene had me in stitches), and some good lines from Sandler.

However, throughout the movie, we're introduced to the moral of the story. Actually, we're not so much introduced to it as it is forced upon us. The moral in question is "live in the moment". Were this billed as a drama, I would have expected and even welcomed a moral. However, this is a comedy. Its one and only goal is to make people laugh. And during the third act, I almost forgot I was watching a comedy.

That, of course, is not to say comedies can't include morals. "Bruce Almighty" was a laugh riot and included a good moral. Of course, that's because that movie knew not to shove the moral down our throats every three minutes. I'm just saying that morals are more welcome when they're more...subtly presented.

Going back to my comment at the top, the orchestration that is "Click" is perfectly in tune, except for that nagging, discordant moral.

A beautiful blend of comedy with drama-warning, if you have a heart, you will cry

[acedj · 9/10 · 13 February 2020]

Michael Newman has it all; a gorgeous wife that really loves him, two beautiful kids, a great home and a job he does well. Still he is not entirely satisfied with how his career is progressing and resents spending time away from big projects that might further him in the company.

One night in a Bed Bath and Beyond, while looking for a universal remote for his TV, Michael runs into a guy named Morty. Morty is a bit odd, but gives Micheal the remote. Instead of being meant for a TV, this remote controls your life. Soon Michael is skipping life events that he dislikes and tries to only be present for the good parts.Before Michael understands what he has unleashed he is an old man, dying in a hospital and alone. Can he correct the error or his ways before he dies?

Every damn time I watch this I cry. Why? Because it is so damn relatable. How many of us as kids could not wait to go to school? Then graduate so we can be adults and "do whatever we want"? Then as adults, how many of us wish the work week would fly by, etc, etc, etc? Before you know it your kids are grown and you have lost a huge chunk of what little time we have on this planet. Watch this movie and learn something from it. Slow down and enjoy the small things, because that is what life is about. Now go hug your kids.

Pretty decent.

[masoncheek · 7/10 · 13 August 2020]

I did find myself laughing and was emotionally affected by the ending. 7/10

Click Off, Please, Now!

[wlawson60 · 1/10 · 5 July 2006]

The idea was great, I grant you that, it always was. From "Faust" to "It's A Wonderful Life" The what if, the second chance, the realization and all the rest. So, can anyone explain to me why the new moronic turns of this perennial tale. The Jerry Springer sensibility that corrodes, diminishes and ultimate destroys what it should have been a lovely movie is what I took with me as I rushed out of the theater. I think that we should all know by now that technical wizardry is not nearly enough and that audiences are smarter than what the smart ass marketing experts seem to think. Is this movie making money? I don't know but I don't think so not even with a million copy opening week end. How sad really. How sad.

Rewatched it for 5th time in 2019

[marinaki_rw · 9/10 · 6 May 2019]

I love this movie . I've been watching it since I was a child/teenager and I rewatched it now in my middle 20s and I still love it . It gets me so emotional every time . It's a comedy with a deep meaning that has me feeling delighted and content every time I watch it. And I confess I cry near the end every time . It's not the "ha ha" type of comedy really. It's just a light hearted movie with a few jokes here and there and a good emotional message to pass to the viewers. One of my favorites . The only reason I'm writing this review now so many years later is that I saw the 6.4 rating and I could not believe it . How is that even possible? Maybe from 1s from people expecting to see something else entirely ? What can I say besides how much I still appreciate this movie..

Can't Get Away From Its Uncertain Genre

[tabuno · 6/10 · 22 January 2019]

15 October 2006. This movie can't decide whether it's a comedy or a drama or both. The commendable ambitions of Adam Sandler to continue to expand his acting roles can't escape the director's pull back into the dumb comedy that Sandler has been relegated to many times. The ending portion of the film is representative of how good the movie could have been only to be vacuumed back into the predictable stereotypical "It's a Wonderful Life" fantasy. With a better writer and more careful direction, the premise of this movie along with Adam Sandler could have been one of the breakthrough movies of the year. Yet, unfortunately, while the creative spark and special effects are fun and entertaining, this movie was stuck in the summer fun category instead of Oscar award quality. It's really too bad, Sandler still can't get a break.

It's trite but the movie just does not "click"

[inkblot11 · 5/10 · 5 September 2006]

Michael (Adam Sandler) has a gorgeous wife and the proverbial two kids. He is an architect employed by a tedious boss and Micheal must work extra hours to bring home enough bacon. One day when his own children tease him for mixing up the remote controls, he decides to take action. He will run out and get a universal remote, like the snotty rich neighbors. However, it is rather late at night and the only store open is Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Nevertheless, in the Beyond section of the store, an unusual clerk sells him the ultimate universal remote, one that is free and non-returnable, too. Michael happily returns home. But, wait. Michael soon finds out THIS remote can also stop the dog from barking loudly and fast forward him through a shower or an argument with his wife. Great, is it not? All too soon, Michael learns that the remote has a down side, including missing important moments in his life. And, although he tries, the remote can not be discarded. Help! This is movie that has some funny moments and some good ideas but it's not enough. Sandler has never tried harder to make things work and to keep laughs coming but he ultimately fails. Perhaps this is because of some very tasteless humor when things go awry. Beckingsale is quite wonderful, however, as the much put-upon wife. Walken is always topnotch and it is wonderful to see Winkler and Kavner. With such a cast, one would guess the movie can't miss, but is does. The culprits are probably the so-so script and the uneven direction. In any case, even if you are a Sandler die-hard, you will be left out in the cold by this film. You may even want to click your own remote and fast forward to the end of the film long before the movie's ending.

Surprisingly good!

[dcatyt · 1 May 2019]

It made me cry... Only marvel movies have made me cry... But this did...

Really interesting concept, doesn't quite work as well as it could have done

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 13 April 2010]

I am not saying here that Click is a terrible movie, because it is not. But I couldn't help feeling minutely disappointed. I am not a huge Adam Sandler fan, though he has done some good work in some surprisingly good films.

While Sandler was just about bearable here, even if his character wasn't particularly likable, the film didn't quite work for my tastes. Granted, it does have a very interesting concept. A work-aholic architect who acquires a remote control that allows him to fast forward through things that peeve him? Hmm, I like that idea, really I do.

Some of the things that do happen:

1. What do you do if your wife starts bitching? Zip past her.

2. What do you do if a dog barks at you? Put him on mute.

3. What do you do if your boss starts irritating you? Hit pause, and fart in his face many times.

The concept of the story as I have said is a good one and is put to a decent amount of use. There were parts where I laughed, not many though, and there is an emotional core that does leave a lump in your throat at the end. The film is nice to look at and has a good soundtrack. Out of the supporting performances, David Hasselhoff looks as though he is having a lot of fun as the self-absorbed boss, and Christopher Walken does what he can with an underwritten role.

However, while she looked stunning, Kate Beckinsale is wasted as the long-suffering wife. The script has its weak spots too as there are parts where the humour is overdone, leaving certain characters(especially Walken's) underdeveloped and card board. Also the direction was disappointingly lacking, and some parts did get quite silly or heavy-handed such as how the dogs behave. I also felt the film was a little too long, some scenes in the middle half didn't have to be as dragged out as they were.

Overall, it has its moments, but doesn't quite work. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Sandler spins his charm yet again

[brettchatz-1 · 7/10 · 17 December 2006]

CAST: ADAM SANDLER; KATE BECKINSALE AND CHRISTOPHER WALKEN.

Adam Sandler is renowned for his irrepressible comedic genius. He possesses a rare talent consisting of an ensemble of slapstick buffoonery and egocentric satire. His formulaic comedies have spawned a generation of die-hard Sandler fans expecting nothing less than the pervasive wit and guile of Adam Sandler in full swing.

In Click, Sandler plays Michael Newman a workaholic trying desperately trying to make partner in a successful firm. His demanding boss is adequately portrayed by David Hasselhoff. Sandler tries frantically to please his superior, but his efforts largely go unnoticed. The result is continual work dissatisfaction and mounting pressure on his home life.

Sandler's wife is played by the exquisite Kate Beckinsale. To label her gorgeous would be doing her a grave injustice for she is the quintessential picture of beauty. She is the doting wife of an overworked architect and the attentive mother of two delightful children. The strain of her relationship with her husband is driving a wedge between them – that is until Sandler is gifted a universal remote.

This is no ordinary remote though: it controls the passage of time and allows for a thorough revision of the past and a rapid transition into the future. What it doesn't allow for are changes to deeds already committed. The angel of death, who hands Sandler the remote, cautions him that the device is non-returnable.

Naturally Sandler's curiosity is piqued and he begins toying with the quirky device. A series of humorous incidents ensue, but the comedy is hardly worth laughing at. The audiences remained largely quiet throughout the duration of the film, with the exception of the usual sexual innuendo and toilet humour which cracked a few smiles.

The film goes off the rails for a while but just when it starts losing the audience; it utilizes drama to great effect to reel the crowds back in. Sandler is surprisingly effective in his dramatic performance. It is a detraction from the norm but one which will leave you teary eyed and heartbroken, until the final ten minutes of the film. Christopher Walken is a spectacle to behold in this dramatic comedy.

This is a must-see Sandler film, not because the laughs come thick and fast, but because it is able to work on raw emotions so effectively. The concept of family and priorities are essential to the film and you are bound to be wiping the tears from your face in the last quarter.

Two-thumbs up!

Surprisingly well done.

[ps42 · 7/10 · 21 June 2006]

Isn't it so nice when a product that you expect to be mediocre turns out to be just that much better than expected? This is the case with click. After seeing trailers and most of Sandler's other characters, I had a pretty good picture of what was going to happen, but that picture turned out to be an incomplete one.

Sandler plays Michael Newman, a bright young architect struggling to impress his boss (David Hasselhoff) and get the promotion that he has always dreamed about so he can live the life he has always wanted to live with his wife, Donna (Kate Beckinsale) and two young children, Ben and Samantha. The first forty-five minutes or so was pretty much what I expected. It was entertaining. Funny, but not hysterical and not particularly memorable or thought provoking. A lot of time was spent on Newman learning to use his new toy, a remote, given to him by a mysterious man, Morty (Christopher Walken) working out of a lab in the back of Bed, Bath and Beyond, that controlled everything in his life. There was cheap physical humor such as the family dog humping a large stuffed duck. Then, suddenly, a little past the halfway point, things took a turn for the better. A film that could have continued down the path traveled by countless doofus comedies before it took a sincere, unexpected and heartfelt bend away from the stereotype. As his remote adapts to Newman's mannerisms, it begins fast-forwarding through events automatically. The ending of the movie, without giving away too much more of the plot, showcases a more serious side of Sandler. Think 'Punch-Drunk Love' and you'll get the idea. He manages to grab you by the heart and pull you deeper into this already interesting film.

All throughout, 'Click' is wonderfully entertaining, and it managed to pull me into it like few films this year have. It manages to blend both sides of Adam Sandler well. It isn't just a good Adam Sandler movie, it is a good movie. Period.

Mildly entertaining but not original

[karen2742 · 5/10 · 9 August 2006]

Too bad the movie isn't that original. Throughout the movie, I kept trying to remember where I had read a similar storyline but it kept evading me. Then, recently, my daughter picked up her R.L. Stine book called "30 Tales to Give You Goosebumps" and announced that there is a short story in it called "Click". She read it to me (I read it to her sometime ago first) and both of us were amazed at the similarities. In Stine's "Click" story there is a kid named Seth Gold whose dad (not surprisingly) brings home a universal remote that allows him to replay, fast forward, mute and slow mo' real life at his home, school and with his friends. I actually found R.L. Stine's "Click" to be more amusing than the movie, but then again, Goosebumps movies are pretty darn scary - even if they ARE supposed to be just for kids!!!

Cried my eyes out

[ranaabdelmegeed · 9/10 · 25 October 2019]

Humor aside,the movie gives you a very strong & important life lesson that everyone should be aware of.

Funny and Sad!

[sykesm-25135 · 7/10 · 9 October 2020]

This movie was funny up until about the 3/4 mark and than it turned super sad! But than it was funny again with a great ending. I recommend it to anyone who has a job that consumes their lives and they need to just let loose and enjoy life a bit more!

It just doesn't "Click" for me

[pdiddypeters · 4/10 · 7 July 2006]

Sure, it's a fine melodrama, but I expected more comedy. I know that this movie really deals more with morals, but we already got the message halfway through the film. Now don't get me wrong, all the performances by Adam Sandler, Kate Bekinsale, Christopher Walkin, David Hasselhoff, et al are wonderful, but this movie just wasn't what I expected it all to be. I was hoping that Adam's character's journey would be more of a funny try to pull everything together. There was too much sadness in this movie, and even you get confused as to what had happened in the fast-forwarded time. Early on, the comedy was right on key, but after that, drama took over, and very limited humor occurred from there on out. Overall, "Click," while it is a very nice piece of work, just doesn't click for me.

The only movie that almost made me cry.

[awwplutto · 9/10 · 18 July 2020]

I love this movie. This is one of my favorite Sandler movies. This was the only movie coming close to making me cry. Incredible heartwarming comedy. Must see if you love Adam Sandler and comedy!

Not the best Sandler vehicle; but quite enjoyable

[eichelbergersports · 7/10 · 20 June 2006]

In a nod to Jim Carrey's "Bruce Almighty" – in which a regular Schmoe becomes almost omnipotent – Adam Sandler stars as a loser who is offered a "universal remote" control device, which gives him power over time and space – among other things.

The remote is given to him by the otherworldly Morty (Christopher Walken), who is tinkering in the bowels of a Bed, Bath & Beyond store. Actually, the plot is taken from the "Twilight Zone" episode, "A Kind Of Stopwatch," which originally aired on Oct. 18, 1963, but this contraption also allows Michael Newman (Sandler) to mute, pause, review his past and (especially) fast-forward things around him.

It's that latter feature, though, that causes the most havoc in his life, because as soon as he zips through one crisis (getting a cold, arguing with his wife, wishing for a promotion, having sex, etc.) after another, the machine programs itself, automatically forwarding through similar situations, and causing his existence to pass all too quickly before his eyes.

While he strives to climb the company ladder at his architect firm, he begins to use the thing to avoid the months and years of hard work it would take for him to succeed; soon, however, as in most films of this fantasy ilk, the bad side is revealed. While his brain is fast-forwarding through bits of unpleasantness, his body remains - with little or no reaction to the things actually going on around him in his family's reality.

Before he realizes it, his wife, Donna (Kate Beckinsale), is drifting away from him, and the relationship with his kids, Ben and Samantha (Joseph Castanon and Tatum McCann) is going to pot. Donna eventually divorces Michael and marries swim instructor, Bill (Sean Astin, "Lord of the Rings," "50 First Dates"), while the kids grow up estranged from their father. He's a big man at his company, sure, but no amount of success on the job can compensate for failure in the home.

The lesson here is to spend as much quality time with your loved ones ("Family comes first") and there are no quick fixes in life. A bit maudlin and sappy, at times (although there are some pretty funny moments), plus about 10 minutes too long for my taste; but nice supporting work from Walken (who steals the picture), Henry Winkler and Julie Kavner (as Michael's meshugana parents), as well as David Hasselhoff, as his weirded-out boss, make this one of Sandler's better vehicles.

Not his best - that was "The Wedding Singer" (so far) - but good enough to enjoy.

A bad comedy and a shallow drama.

[aaaaa31 · 1/10 · 15 August 2006]

It first starts like a comedy it turns into a "drama" and then it ends like a comedy again.Why couldn't simply end with the death of Sandler? Why we had to see this typical happy ending again? In this movie there are a lot of clichés. Is the typical story of a man who finds something that change his life,he doesn't like it, tries to have his old life back and when a dead end appears...how original he wakes up from his sleep!!!

Almost 2 hours wasted on a really bad film,with bad jokes,bad acting(Beckinsale was OK) and a lot of clichés in plot seen in other movies... Bruce Almighty is the first that comes into my mind(even the girl running in slow motion was copy from Bruce Almighty).

A waste of time.Don't see it.

1/10