When Adam Sandler gets sad, so do his returns at the box office. Although two of Sandler’s three attempts at more dramatic fare have been met with praise from critics, moviegoers weren’t singing their praises.
Yet Sandler seemingly remains attracted to such roles. Back when his 2007 drama “Reign Over Me” was coming out, Sandler noted in an interview with Copley News Service: “I can’t articulate why I liked [the movie] so much, but it hurt my heart when I read it, so much. It also made me laugh. I just wanted to accept the challenge of doing that role.”
So is he under a “serious role” curse? Or do audiences just love watching him seduce old ladies with blow dryers? (Oh, admit it: You watched “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan.”) RedEye looks back at three Sad Adam roles and compares their performance with his goofier action.
2007
‘Reign Over Me’
Sad Adam: A tragedy-struck New Yorker who lost his wife and daughter in the 9/11 attacks.
Cash register: $19.6 million*
‘I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry’
Goofy Adam: A firefighter who pretends to be gay and marry to get health benefits. Hilarity ensues!
Cash register: $120 million
2004
‘Spanglish’
Sad Adam: A successful chef who takes in an immigrant housekeeper and her daughter and helps them adjust to a new life.
Cash register: $42.7 million
’50 First Dates’
Goofy Adam: A guy who falls in love with an amnesiac and vows to make her remember him. And gets whacked in the head a bunch.
Cash register: $120.9 million
2002
‘Punch-drunk Love’
Sad Adam: A loser who learns to play the harmonium.
Cash register: $17.8 million
‘Mr. Deeds’
Goofy Adam: A loser who teaches the rich that money isn’t everything.
Cash register: $126.2 million (Turns out, money is everything.)
*SOURCE: BOXOFFICEMOJO.COM. ALL DOMESTIC TOTALS.
