Grown Ups

Over the years Adam Sandler has been co-star, writer and producer of films that feature his mates. He has now assembled all his mates into the one film.

Adam Sandler and his co-writer Fred Wolf have crafted an excellent drama that explores the many issues that men must go through as they grow older. It is a theme that is rarely explored in film and is very refreshing. Each of the men in the film represent the many different facets in everyday life, with the main issue of family being the one thing that joins them together. These men are able to take a holiday and share their time together and explore these aspects as they reminisce about their time when younger. The film explores how people, not just men, can grow up and loose touch with the things and people they had when younger. Considering the cast I was pleasantly surprised that that a dramatic tone with the film. There are many emotional scenes as the men struggle with the various burdens of their family. These burdens, mainly their family and especially their wives, prove a big obstacle in letting the men explore their connections that they have lost since leaving each other. You can really tell these men enjoy each others company and really respect each other for the decisions they have made in their lives. They are able to be open about things and not have to keep secrets.

Adam Sandler has done a few dramatic films before. I think most of his films have been in that genre. Here he gives a very nuanced performance as he explores the complex issues brought to bear.I think he handles the drama very well. His co-stars also do well in bringing out the various issues that plague their characters. Kevin James is normally quite funny in his TV and films, but he shows that he can do drama just as easily. David Spade breaks out of his comfort zone to play a character we have not seen him play before. He is more than up to the challenge. Chris Rock is a very respectable actor and shows his true talent. Rob Schneider has many deeply emotional scenes to play with so has more to do than his co-stars. The women work well at playing their roles and really show that men these days have a lot to put up with and must really be admired for handling them so well.

A complex and challenging drama that I think many people will have trouble viewing. It challenges our thinking about growing older and what that means to our lives. We must face many hurdles in our life and this film makes us think about how we can better handle them as people.