In ‘Blended,’ Sandler, Barrymore an amiable couple lost in thin premise

  • By Robert Horton Herald Movie Critic
  • Wednesday, May 21, 2014 5:14pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

Nobody in movies is easier to denigrate than Adam Sandler, whose 20-plus years as a movie star (and producer) have admittedly generated some painful moments. He doesn’t have many defenders.

In “Blended,” for instance, Sandler expends a lot of energy on building characters and creating some semblance of emotional reality — and then he’ll end a scene with two rhinos copulating.

Why are there rhinos copulating in an Adam Sandler comedy? (If you are asking the question, you probably haven’t seen many of his movies.) In “Blended,” it’s because widower dad Sandler has gone on vacation to South Africa with his three daughters, and rhinos are nearby.

The movie’s gimmick is that a divorced mom (Drew Barrymore) is on the same trip with her two sons. She and Sandler had one terrible blind date, which led to a lasting mutual hatred — but they must try to make the best of this vacation.

For such a thin sitcom premise, Sandler and director Frank Coraci (who also directed the couple in “The Wedding Singer”) lavish a great deal of attention to detail. Each of the five kids, for instance, has a little story arc to follow, none of them especially inspired, but at least the movie’s paying attention.

That makes sense; Sandler’s original audience has aged along with him, and they have kids now, too. He’s canny about folding the mundane trials and tribulations of everyday family life into the slapstick.

There are plenty of problems. The weirdness of traveling to South Africa and staying in a Disneyland-style resort (complete with singing and dancing natives) is never remarked upon, although there is some time set aside for remarking on how beautiful the actual countryside is. As long as the view isn’t ruined by rhinos, etc.

For all the movie’s issues, I have to say that it hits a mood that Sandler’s films get when they’re clicking. There’s a loose, good-natured spirit about “Blended” that carries it along even through cornball jokes.

Running gags are maintained, and Sandler (as usual) creates lots of room for other performers. He’s never a ball hog when it comes to the comedy. There’s plenty of space for the likes of Wendi McLendon-Covey (“Bridesmaids”), who plays Barrymore’s best friend, or pros like Kevin Nealon, Joel McHale and Terry Crews.

The scenes between Sandler and Barrymore are as likable as they were in “The Wedding Singer” and “50 First Dates.” This is not sophisticated cinema, but some credit must be given to silliness that strikes an amiable chord, which “Blended” does.

“Blended” (2 and a half stars)

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore play feuding single parents who inadvertently take their families to the same South African resort. Nothing too great here, and there are plenty of corny jokes, but the film does create an amiable, feel-good atmosphere, and Sandler and Barrymore play well together.

Rating: PG-13, for subject matter

Opens: Friday at Alderwood, Cinebarre Mountlake Terrace, Everett Stadium, Galaxy Monroe, Marysville, Stanwood Cinemas, Pacific Place, Oak Tree Cinemas, Woodinville, Blue Fox Drive-In, Cascade Mall and Oak Harbor Plaza.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

The Moonlight Swing Orchestra will play classic sounds of the Big Band Era on April 21 in Everett. (submitted photo)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Relive the Big Band Era at the Port Gardner Music Society’s final concert of the season in Everett.

2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD (Honda)
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD

Honda cedes big boy pickup trucks to the likes of Ford, Dodge… Continue reading

Would you want to give something as elaborate as this a name as mundane as “bread box”? A French Provincial piece practically demands the French name panetiere.
A panetiere isn’t your modern bread box. It’s a treasure of French culture

This elaborately carved French antique may be old, but it’s still capable of keeping its leavened contents perfectly fresh.

(Judy Newton / Great Plant Picks)
Great Plant Pick: Mouse plant

What: Arisarum proboscideum, also known as mouse plant, is an herbaceous woodland… Continue reading

Bright green Japanese maple leaves are illuminated by spring sunlight. (Getty Images)
Confessions of a ‘plantophile’: I’m a bit of a junky for Japanese maples

In fact, my addiction to these glorious, all-season specimens seems to be contagious. Fortunately, there’s no known cure.

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited (Hyundai)
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited

The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited is a sporty, all-electric, all-wheel drive sedan that will quickly win your heart.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T hybrid’s face has the twin red lines signifying the brand’s focus on performance. (Dodge)
2024 Hornet R/T is first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge

The all-new compact SUV travels 32 miles on pure electric power, and up to 360 miles in hybrid mode.

Don’t blow a bundle on glass supposedly made by the Henry William Stiegel

Why? Faked signatures, reused molds and imitated styles can make it unclear who actually made any given piece of glass.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.