Adam Sandler, fresh off the critical praise from Punch-Drunk Love, returns to the Hollywood scene with a disappointing holiday comedy.
Eight Crazy Nights, is an animated mess, with nothing more to offer than cruel and pointless jokes about bodily functions.
Lacking any hint of wit or novelty, this film may leave a bad taste in the mouths of even the most dedicated Sandler fans.
The holiday is upon us, and Davey Stone (Sandler) is at the mercy of the court.
After several run-ins with the law, most recently public drunkeness, Davey’s luck has run out. The judge, frustrated with Davey’s constant insubordination, is ready to send him to the big house.
Davey of course gets one more chance as Whitey Duvall, the town’s do-gooder, (also voiced by Sandler) pleads with the judge to release Davey into his care.
Whitey, a referee of a youth basketball league, needs an assistant, and why wouldn’t the town nuisance be fit for the job?
The judge obliges and Davey starts off anew at the home of Whitey and his twin sister, Eleanore (Sandler once again).
Their good nature, however, does not phase Davey as he continues about with his ill-mannered and ungrateful behavior.
Obviously, we’re supposed to hate Davey as he mocks an elderly bald woman, embarrasses a young boy who is overweight and insults just about everyone else in a small New England town.
But the film does encourage us to laugh along with Davey’s backward sense of humor and enjoyment.
Rather quickly, this modern-day scrooge, who believes reindeers should be shot, warms up to the goodness of his surrogate parents.
His redemption lacks any plausibility though.
There is no true catalyst for his change, nor does Davey seem unconditionally sincere.
For those searching for a great holiday film, rent A Christmas Story or even Gremlins.
Eight Crazy Nights will only disappoint.
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