Donny (Adam Sandler) has problems: He’s famous for getting his Grade 7 teacher pregnant and Han Solo (Andy Samberg), the son they produced, wants nothing to do with him.
Over the years fame has turned Donny into a broke drunkard. Shame and fear has turned Han Solo (aka Todd) into a nervous mess. However, when Donny finds out his long, lost son is getting married, he sees an opportunity to fix everything, all at once.
We say, “See it if you’re keen to watch Sandler act like an imbecile again.”
TAYLOR: I’ve seen every stupid Sandler movie made. (Can you believe he’s been doing this for almost 20 years now?) Call it a guilty pleasure. For those of you well versed in the Sandlersphere, That’s My Boy is somewhere between the sex and drug romp of Grandma’s Boy and the inept sentimentality of Big Daddy.
HOWE: There must be something he’s doing right. He keeps making them and we keep on watching them. I didn’t mind this one. I have seen a lot worse made by Sandler.
TAYLOR: I laughed too. It’s funny. Just don’t take your nine year old thinking that they’re about to see Sandler make funny faces and be cute, because this one is for mature audiences. Andy Samberg, who I enjoy on Saturday Night Live, and I’m also a fan of Hot Rod, does very well in this movie. In fact, I think it could safely be said that this film proves Samberg can act. He spends a great deal of time looking nervous and scared in this film, as his character is an emotional wreck, having been raised by an idiot.
HOWE: Sandler plays that role so perfectly. I was happy that he didn’t use his usual crew of Spade and Schneider in this. Sometimes I find that they overpower some of the other actors. Vanilla Ice, I thought, did a great job, but I couldn’t tell if he was acting or if he really is like this in real life.
TAYLOR: If you’re referring to Grown Ups, you’ll be happy to know that Grown Ups 2 is filming. I agree about Vanilla Ice. There were a lot of fun cameos in this film. But the strength of this movie are the dirty jokes. After all, the foundation of the film’s premise is built upon an inappropriate sexual relationship and just rolls out from there. In fact, the film concludes by way of yet another inappropriate sexual relationship. Very 14A.
HOWE: In the end, I’m surprised I liked this movie as much as I did. Yes, there are over-the-mark scenes, but unlike some actors, Sandler is able to pull it off. For a comedy that is two hours long it didn’t feel that long. If you want a good immature chuckle you should go see That’s My Boy.
–– Howe gives That’s My Boy 3 photos of Grandma out of 5.
–– Taylor gives it 2.5 tissues out of 5.
The film is currently showing at the Galaxy Cinemas in Vernon.
–– Brian Taylor and Peter Howe are film critics living in Vernon, B.C.
