By Spencer Coile
;)
To many, Adam Sandler was in no need of a career makeover. Even with Netflix films like The Ridiculous 6 and Sandy Wexler, many were drawn to his schtick and comedic talents -- even if those talents were misplaced in terrible films. Still, after decades of being the go-to "funny guy," it is refreshing to see Sandler step back and display his acting chops in more nuanced ways. We saw this in 2002 with Punch Drunk Love, and we are witnessing it again in 2017 with The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected), the latest from Noah Baumbach.
Watching Sandler explore the idiosyncrasies of a complicated character is so fleeting, that sometimes, it is vital for us to also take a step back and realize: Adam Sandler can be a great actor. And fortunately, The Meyerowitz Stories offers him the opportunity to demonstrate why he has been a staple to the field of comedy for decades, but also, to dive into a character that feels completely genuine and tailor-made for Sandler's caliber of acting.
;)
Sandler plays Danny Meyerowitz, the oldest of the three Meyerowitz siblings -- well, as they are quick to point out, "half siblings" (Ben Stiller and Elizabeth Marvel complete the trio). Right off the bat, Danny is portrayed as a schlep; various characters comment on his inability to find or keep a job, he is divorced, he walks pathetically with a limp that he refuses to get checked out, and the film chronicles him staying with assorted family members because he has no home of his own. That said, he clearly is a loving and supportive father and does have musical talent, even if those talents were never put to use. Indeed, he is a sad sack, and his father Harold (Dustin Hoffman) receives great joy out of comparing Danny to his successful half-brother, Matthew.
Sandler has played losers before, characters who can never seem to get their lives together. What is so special about his performance as Danny Meyerowitz? This is his first collaboration with Noah Baumbach, and it immediately feels clear from the opening scene alone, that this role was tailor made for Sandler's comedic and dramatic capabilities. A defining characteristic to Danny is his short fuse -- many scenes depict him shouting at an unseen character, usually someone whose driving is annoying Danny. He gets so heated and begins shouting obscenities until the scene cuts. Of course these moments are played for humor, watching Danny go from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds. But throughout the film, Baumbach imbues a deep melancholy to Danny. He is a tragically comic figure. It is a challenging and complex role, and Sandler dives into Danny's eccentricities so effortlessly, it truly feels like a master is at work.
;)
Many may scoff that I just referred to Sandler as a "master." However, his work in The Meyerowitz Stories is nothing short of revelatory. Danny Meyerowitz is a character bubbling with neuroses. he is lonely and desperate for attention, he is sometimes unlikeable and stubborn. He's human. Every moment, every outburst, every twitch of his upper lip feels authentic and real. It helps, of course, that he has such a rich screenplay to work with and a cast that he shares such cutting dialogue with -- the relationship between him, Stiller, and Marvel comes across as eerily relatable. We watch him flounder to come up with words to say to his father, a man who has never taken him seriously. We watch him struggle with a daughter who is leaving for college and he is afraid to say goodbye. We watch him flirt and fail at it, and these moments all hit close to home.
Sandler has played goofballs plenty of times before, but none have matched the sincerity of his performance as Danny Meyerowitz. So while he was not necessarily in need of a career makeover, 2017 proved (once again) that Adam Sandler is an actor still worth talking about.