Review by Jane Louise Boursaw
Reel Rating: 2.5 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG for crude material, including suggestive references, language and comic violence
Released in Theaters: Nov. 11, 2011
Genre: Comedy, Family
Runtime: 91 minutes
Directed by: Dennis Dugan
Cast: Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino, Nick Swardson, Norm MacDonald
Official Site: http://www.jackandjill-movie.com/
MOVIE SYNOPSIS: Adam Sandler plays Jack Sadelstein, a family guy who’s preparing for a Thanksgiving visit from his identical twin sister Jill. But she’s needy and lonely and refuses to leave once she gets there. To make matters worse, Al Pacino will only agree to do a TV commercial for Jack if he arranges a date with Jill.
Sex/Nudity: Pacino makes numerous sexual overtures toward Jill. Jack’s gardener Felipe also likes her. Jill’s full-figured bras and control-top panties are shown a few times for laughs. Jill mentions being a “prostitwin,” in response to Jack nudging her to go out with Pacino. Jack and his wife are shown getting ready for bed together (nothing sexual; they’re just going to sleep).
Violence/Gore: Slapstick and physical comedy throughout. Jack’s son punches Jill, to the point where she falls off her chair. Jack (disguised as Jill) shoves and hits Pacino. Jill punches a bathroom attendant after he tries to adjust her “melons” (thinking she’s Jack disguised as Jill). Jill destroys Jack’s pool with a Jet Ski-type craft.
Profanity: “Hell,” “crap,” and “oh my God.” Insults include “freak,” “annoying,” “loser,” and “stupid.” Sheltered Jill makes stereotypical comments, like asking if a bearded man is Al Qaeda.
Drugs/Alcohol: Social drinking at a dinner party.
Which Kids Will Like It? Kids 13 and older who like Adam Sandler’s brand of potty humor.
Will Parents Like It? The story is ultimately sweet – that family matters, even if they’re obnoxious and crude. Still, I’m guessing you’d have to be a fan of Sandler’s to like this movie.
MOVIE REVIEW: Adam Sandler must have some serious pull in Hollywood. His movies aren’t that great. They’re usually pretty stupid and rife with potty humor and superficial characters. But there’s an underlying sweetness to most of them. I’m thinking of Happy Gilmore, Bedtime Stories, Grown Ups, The Wedding Singer, and 50 First Dates. If you can get past the whole Adam Sandler schtick, there’s usually a sweet message buried somewhere in there.
But even with the crude humor and dumb stories, he manages to pull in some heavy-hitters in the film industry. I don’t know if he just pays really well, or maybe all these serious actors need some comic relief in their career now and then. I mean, Al Pacino? Really? He has a starring role in Jack and Jill, and plays a ridiculously dumb character, to boot.
Also appearing: Johnny Depp, Regis Philbin, Drew Carey, John McEnroe, Christie Brinkley, Bruce Jenner, David Spade and Katie Holmes, who plays Sandler’s wife. It’s like everyone in Hollywood was begging their agent to “Get me in that Adam Sandler movie!” It’s directed by frequent Sandler collaborator Dennis Dugan, who also helmed Just Go With It, Grown Ups and You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, among others.
The story follows Jack Sadelstein, a family man with an adoring wife, a couple of kids, and a thriving career producing TV commercials in Hollywood. But he’s not looking forward to a Thanksgiving visit from his identical twin sister Jill (also played by Sandler). She’s pushy, needy, and passive-aggressive. But she’s also lonely, as the twins recently lost their mom, with whom Jill was close.
Once in Hollywood, Jill wreaks havoc everywhere she goes, but you do find yourself feeling sympathetic towards her. She’s sweet in a childlike way, to the point of having a subscription to Highlights magazine (we know this because she has her mail forwarded to Jack’s house).
In the meantime, Jack is trying to land Al Pacino for a commercial for Dunkin’ Donuts’ new coffee – the Dunkaccino. Of course, he’s reluctant, but in some alternate universe, Pacino falls head over heels in love with Jill when he sees her at a Lakers game (where he’s sitting with Johnny Depp – what the…). So the whole story revolves around Jack trying to persuade Jill to go out with Pacino in order to get him to do the commercial.
Jack and Jill doesn’t deviate much from the Adam Sandler formula mentioned above – sweet story wrapped around a constant stream of crude jokes and sexual humor (one step away from a PG-13 MOVIE rating). If you or your kids like that particular brand of humor, then you’ll probably like this movie. But don’t say I didn’t warn you about “chocolate squirties,” “Chimichanga bombs,” sweat stains on sheets, a farting scene in a movie theater, and disgusting sounds coming from the bathroom.
Also be aware that Jack and Jill is one long commercial for just about every product Sandler could pack in there, including Subway (Jared shows up), Sham Wow (likewise with the Sham Wow guy), The Price is Right (ditto Drew Carey), Royal Caribbean, Sony computers (Sony is distributing the film), YouTube, Craigslist, Match.com and eHarmony.
One bright spot is the opening and closing documentary-style vignettes of real twins talking about each other. I actually wouldn’t have minded an entire movie of that, with the Adam Sandler part cut out of the middle. But hey, whatever keeps Sandler’s family fed.
JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM:
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Jane Boursaw is a family entertainment writer specializing in movies and TV. Visit her at ReelLifeWithJane; follow her on Twitter; become a friend on Facebook; email jboursaw@charter.net.
