Anger Management [Blu-ray]

Buy This Item Anger Management [Blu-ray] by Sony Pictures  Available from Amazon  $28.95  on 8-11-2008     The irresistible pairing of Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler is the best reason to see <I>Anger Management</I>, a comedy that might loosely be called <I>The Funny and the Furious</I>. Nicholson and especially Sandler have screen personas that partially rely on pent-up anxieties, so there's definite potential in teaming them as a mild-mannered designer of pet clothing for chubby cats (Sandler) who's been ordered to undergo anger-management therapy with a zany counselor (Nicholson) prone to occasional tantrums and devious manipulation. Surely this meandering comedy looked better on the page; director Peter Segal scores a few lucky scenes (particularly Sandler's encounter with a Buddhist monk, played by John C. Reilly), but a flood of cameos (Heather Graham, Woody Harrelson, Rudolph Giuliani, and others) can't match the number of laughs that fall flat. As Sandler's understanding girlfriend, Marisa Tomei plays a pivotal role in a happy ending that leaves everyone smiling, with the possible exception of the audience. <I>--Jeff Shannon</I> Reader Reviews Adam Sandler is one of those actors who hits and misses with the best of them. Perhaps one of the more successful alumni from SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE when it comes to the crossover to film, he started big and has since dropped down a bit. This could be explained by the fact that he chose to almost make the same movie over and over again and then tried to do something completely different. I mean BILLY MADISON, HAPPY GILMORE and THE WATERBOY were basically all about a bumbling idiot who ended up doing well. And folks enjoyed those movies. Although you can't make the same movie forever and expect it to do well, shifting gears to portray a son of the Devil didn't seem to be a good career move. And MR.DEEDS didn't do so hot either as he chose to make the bumbling idiot a sap instead. So it's great to see that he's chosen to take his abilities in a different direction and do it right with this film. ANGER MANAGEMENT features Sandler as Dave Buznik, a backwards, overworked and underappreciated exec who does the work while his boss garners the rewards. On a plane trip to join him to present a new idea, Dave is charged with assault on a stewardess simply because he asks for a set of headphones all the while being ignored. The judge sentences Dave to anger management therapy. His therapist? Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson), the passenger who sat next to him on the plane egging him on. In group therapy, Dave continues his backward ways. When he gets slightly miffed about the way Buddy is handling things, Buddy tells him that he's going to require more intensive therapy. Moving in with Dave, Buddy takes over his life. He goes with him to work, hits on his girlfriend, spouts off to his boss and goes so far as to sleep in the same bed with him since the apartment is so small. He goes as far as to make Dave confront his old grade school nemesis, now a peace loving Buddhist monk! Through it all we are allowed to see Dave as he changes. Buddy's techniques may be a bit odd and at one point we all might hate him as he seems about to do something dreadful (hey I don't want to spoil everything), but the results and the changes that Dave goes through are there for us to see. And the twist at the end comes out of nowhere, making sense and giving the whole movie an even better feel. Had this movie been made with just anyone, it might not have turned out near as well. But Sandler and Nicholson both turn in tremendous performances. Sandler's bumbler has become a character with abilities that he just hasn't tapped into yet. And Nicholson's Dr. Buddy is one of his most eccentric and yet endearing as well. The laughs here are natural and ones that will not only tickle but make you guffaw at times as well. If you need something that lifts your spirits and makes you smile then you might want to rent this one tonight.

Anger Management [Blu-ray] Available from Amazon Price: $28.95 Updated on 8-11-2008.

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