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Friday, May 23, 2014

MOVIE REVIEW Blended
 Blended *Almost* Splendid, Saved By Barrymore

Adam Sandler as Jim and Drew Barrymore as Lauren, in Frank Coraci's romantic comedy "Blended".  Warner Brothers
       
by Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com        Follow popcornreel on Twitter FOLLOW                                           
Friday, May 23, 2014
Blended may be the right word to describe the secret formula of the successful big screen partnership of Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.  The duo are the panacea for each other.  Their chemistry inevitably and invariably works ("The Wedding Singer", "50 First Dates") and those films are better for it.  Their onscreen togetherness breaks their independent streaks of starring in mostly poor films.  The same can be said of their third collaboration, "Blended", the romantic comedy directed by Frank Coraci (he directed "The Wedding Singer".) 

Family is what "Blended" is about, and 21st century families aren't the way they looked in 1950's America.  Mr. Coraci and writers Clare Sera and Ivan Menchell are keenly aware of this, and "Blended" takes full stock of today's modern family in funny, albeit corny ways.  Most of the film's first hour consists of standard, repetitive Sandler hijinks, though ones less bitter and hostile than usual.  The second hour of "Blended" is better and endearing, thanks mostly to Ms. Barrymore and the script's emphasis on its best asset: the children of divorcee Lauren (Ms. Barrymore) and widower Jim (Mr. Sandler).

On a blind date Lauren and Jim fizzle, leaving contemptuous residue between them.  References to Hooters (Restaurant) and Dick's (Sporting Goods) are obvious and unoriginal in their comedic context, as are the tomboyish names and appearances of two of Jim's kids.  For a while the mentions and sight gags threaten to overwhelm a film that veers in the direction of other Sandler headliners.

Everything tone and quality-wise changes noticeably however, when Lauren and Jim finagle a trip to South Africa after Jim's boss (Dan Patrick) and Lauren's co-worker friend Jen (Wendy McLendon-Covey), a lovey-dovey item, are unable to make the romantic vacation.  It is at this point that "Blended", an otherwise run-of-the-mill comedy, becomes likable.  Jim and Lauren begin warming to each other in a new climate.

"Blended" features Terry Crews as the flamboyant Nickens, an African entertainer who wiggles, jiggles and eye-rolls in a capacity that's at first cringe-worthy but becomes less so as the film gradually evolves from pure caricature.  Nickens is balanced out by Mfana (Abdoulaye N'Gom), a jovial, ingratiating tour guide who tries to reign in his adventurous and particular guests.  Among them is a Marilyn Monroe sound-a-like (Jessica Lowe) who puts the boom in va-boom. 

Overall Mr. Coraci brings an pleasant atmosphere to "Blended", a happy-go-lucky experience that occasionally turns sour grapes into wine.  There's sweetness in "Blended" in its children (some of whom have adolescent hurdles to climb) and Mr. Sandler's interaction with them.  There's tenderness consonant with Mr. Sandler's onscreen raffish ways and trademark irritation that melds with the charms and irksomeness of the well-meaning Lauren.  While some episodes aren't funny or are one-note such as Lauren's constant concussive blows to her son's head, others are engaging.  Through it all you know that Jim and Lauren are looking to each other to complete themselves.  They are cute together.  Almost too cute.

"Blended" has its clichés, sure, but it doesn't preach or screech hostility, something Hollywood comedies often mistake for hilarity.  The only nails-on-blackboard moments are the shrillness of Lauren's only son and the relentless acidity of Jen.  Jim softens and the film adds nice touches and scenes of children adapting to the memory of lost parents including them as part of very present moments.  I can't say I didn't enjoy "Blended".  I didn't expect to enjoy it but I did.  It has its ups and downs but at times "Blended" is a happily irresistible film.

Also with: Bella Thorne, Braxton Beckham, Kevin Nealon, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Emma Fuhrmann, Joel McHale, Shaquille O'Neal, Zak Henri, Kyle Red Silverstein.

"Blended" is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association Of America for crude and sexual content, and language.  The film's running time is one hour and 57 minutes.

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