A completely crazy but excellent movie.
Let me start this review of by saying what everyone else is saying, Adam Sandler is incredible in this movie. It is no secret that when watching most of his films it is hard to see Adam Sandler as anyone but Adam Sandler. This is not an insult at all as those movies are completely designed this way. Still in this film I did not see Adam Sandler but rather the extremely eccentric and brash Howard Ratner. Adam completely gets lost in this character and reminds us as much as he is the butt of the jokes from so many movie fans, the man really can act. I don't think any other actor could have played this role better, as he perfectly conveys both the over the top energy as well as the inner pin of this character. More than just that Adam Sandler's performance makes us root for a character with little redeeming qualities. This is because the character is endless fascinating to watch. No matter who else or what else is on the screen our eyes are always on him.
The direction of Safdie Brothers is completely designed to fit this character. The film is fast, erratic, and completely insane, just like its lead character. While this can get a little exusating at times, there is no doubt that it is effective. It brings us in the mind of this character, as we ourselves get caught up in his crazy, brash and scheaming mind. The character is not sane so why should the filmmaking be sane. Yet there is a method to the madness and the Safdie Brothers remain in control and are always giving us exactly what they want to give us. These are extremely talented filmmakers who know their craft very well.
Still this movie is not perfect. As intresting as Howard Ratner is, his family gives us little to no reason to care. By the end of the movie we don't know who his wife and kids are. Their personalites are not only bland but they are obviously simply tools to tell the story of our main character. This makes certian dramatic moments at home not have the impact, I felt they were supposed to have.,
All in all, this film may be faulted, but it is very well made and Adam Sandler is incredible in a more dramatic role.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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