PETER SEGAL
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BB.5. USA, 2003. Revolution Studios, Happy Madison Productions, Anger Management LLC, Jack Giarraputo Productions. Screenplay by David Dorfman. Cinematography by Donald McAlpine. Produced by Barry Bernardi, Jack Giarraputo. Music by Teddy Castellucci. Production Design by Alan Au. Costume Design by Ellen Lutter. Film Editing by Jeff Gourson.
Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler earn big money cashing in on their trademark personalities. Sandler plays a frustrated executive assistant who internalizes all his anger and never lets it out in any positive way. When a misunderstanding on an airplane leads to a court case for harassment and the assault of a flight attendant, a judge assigns Sandler to anger management therapy under the watchful eye of a very unorthodox therapist (Nicholson). The regimen of finding new ways to express his deep unhappiness with the world finds him some new freedoms but threatens his relationship with his very charming girlfriend (Marisa Tomei, who seems to be getting lovelier every year). Nicholson and Sandler’s antics provide for some great laughs, but there just isn’t enough of them in between some touchy-feely scenes of personal exploration that, like most of Sandler’s movies, try to convince you that the film is wiser and savvier than it actually is. The best moments end up coming from celebrity cameos, most notably Woody Harrelson and Heather Graham, plus a very cheesy appearance by former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani. This comedy isn’t a worthless way to entertain yourself, but considering the promising way it begins it should have turned out a whole lot better.
