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Grown Ups

movies|grown%20ups|2010-06-24

Thirty years after their high school graduation, five good friends reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend.

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Editorial

The boys of Happy Madison are back in Grown Ups and this time they are all grown up – almost. A feeble excuse to get the gang back together - the storyline, a childhood coach dies bringing back together his only winning championship little league basketball team, reuniting after 30 years, is clichéd at best but the chemistry between Adam Sandler, Kevin James, David Spade, Chris Rock and Rob Schneider is obvious. Years of pratfalls and fart gags have developed into a palpable camaraderie.

Sandler plays Lenny, the leader of the team. He has become a high flying talent agent in Hollywood and judging by his Brad Pitt phone tirade a hugely successful one – but not a patch on Ari Gold. He is joined by Eric (James), a failed businessman hiding behind a Chevy-led façade, Marcus (Spade), a drunken ladies man, Kurt (Chris Rock), a house husband and Rob (Schneider), a new age hipster with a penchant of octogenarians.

The team's partners are a far more interesting bunch. The shapely form of Salma Hayek makes you wonder how Sandler's character could ever win her heart and in more casting above their station, James is partnered with Maria Bello. Maya Rudolph continues her den mother role from Away We Go and Joyce Van Patten has unenviable task and getting down and dirty with Schneider as his elderly beau.

Behind the constant gross-out humour, there is a grown up message about family, friendship and losing perspective of what's important in life. Sandler's exasperation with his spoilt kids is nicely played. The filmmakers may hammer this point home bluntly but it's a good one to be made. The great outdoors vs. video games and texting, let battle commence.

David Michael Brown