Sandy Wexler

Over the last decade the way movies are being distributed has changed, the biggest change is that companies like Netflix and Amazon (who offer their content on demand) are now starting to produce their own films some of which are not released in cinemas. Netflix have managed to secure Adam Sandler, who can be a massive box office draw, to a four film deal. Sandy Wexler is the third film of the four film deal (his second with director Steven Brill) and once again its poor, but on the plus side, it’s better than the previous Netflix produced efforts.
 

Sandy Wexler is about an incompetent, socially awkward talent manager named Sandy Wexler (Adam Sandler). He loves his clients, and generally believes in them and their talent. However, his clients aren’t hitting the big time but he stumbles across the immensely talented Courtney Clarke (Jennifer Hudson) who Sandy wants to take to stardom. Only problem is he’s so incompetent he’s more likely to be a hindrance than a help.

The titular character may be an incompetent, socially awkward buffoon with an (unnecessary) speech impediment but his love for his clients and his belief in them does make him a well-meaning character that one can warm to him despite his annoying characteristics. This can make a difference because Adam Sandler can play quite douchy characters (like in The Do-over) and creating a character than you can warm to does present chances to find reasons to enjoy the film but this was to no avail.

The film’s writers don’t capitalise on the above opportunity and it’s hard to care about Sandy for the entire 130-minute running time (a running time massively overlong for a basic Adam Sandler movie). The cause of the film’s overinflated length is the various escapades Sandy has with his other clients, which include the worst daredevil stuntman, a wrestler, and a luckless actress. It all just adds to the overall length of the film and takes away a chance to properly develop Sandy’s relationship with Courtney.  

As typical with Adam Sandler’s poorest efforts the film is mostly devoid of laughs with some of the humour being so jarringly out of place that it comes across as crass. The celeb cameos feel cheap (the film has celebs talking to the camera) and the film is another excuse for Sandler to hang out with his mates (the usual suspects star in the film). It’s not his worst effort by any means, but its overlong and mostly laugh free.

1.5/5