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Spanglish smanglish, April 22 2007
Hell hath no fury like a filmmaker scorned, apparently. At least that's what seems to be going on with James L. Brooks -- his latest film "Spanglish" feels like a tirade against a despised ex (which, rumor has it, it is). Paz Vega injects a bit of likability into the plot, but this comedy just seems like a bitter ride into marital dysfunction.
Flor (Paz Vega) and her daughter emigrate to the United States, hoping for a better life. They find employment for Jamie Oliver-like John Clasky (Adam Sandler) and his neurotic wife Deborah (Tea Leoni), who have a very weird marriage -- he is a loving husband and father, with too much pressure; she is a screeching harridan who bugs her pudgy daughter to lose weight.
Flor doesn't speak English, and the Claskys don't speak Spanish; her bilingual child has to translate for them. But a friendship starts to bloom between Flor and John, as Deborah starts to woo Flor's pretty young daughter away from her, and alienates her own daughter.
A comedy that bangs you over the head with a message is bad enough. A comedy that just bangs you over the head is even worse. This is another one of the mature Adam Sandler movies -- you know, the ones where he is called on to play a non-dolt. Unfortunately, this movie isn't worthy of such an attempt.
While the movie technically revolves around Flor and John's lives, the obnoxious self-absorbed Deborah dominates the plot. If you can get past Brooks' ridiculous bitterness, there actually a smothered message in the story about Flor. Unfortunately, it seems to be that if a person immigrates to another country, they shouldn't consider it "their" country, or let their kids do so. The writing has a few good lines (especially from Deborah's alcoholic mother), but stays tepid most of the time.
Tea Leoni isn't a terribly good actress, but she's given a positively loathsome character in Deborah -- she's obsessed with her body, ignorant of others' feelings, and obnoxious even in the bedroom. (Yes, Brooks takes us THERE) Sandler's so-so performance is overshadowed by Leoni's harpy performance, especially since you can't see why he's such a devoted husband. Only Paz Vega gives a performance of real nuance and ability.
The bile that spews all over "Spanglish" keeps it from being a moderately charming love/family comedy. Save your issues for your therapist, John. They don't make for good movies.
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An absolutely wonderful surprise of a movie, Jul 12 2006
The first thing you need to know about Spanglish is that it is not a comedy; it is a drama with bits of humor spread throughout its two plus hours' running time. Adam Sandler is not the main focus of the film, nor is he the kind of boisterous character we are so used to seeing; he is, in fact, exceedingly mellow and serious here. Spanglish is really all about the boundaries of culture, economic standing, and social circles, centering on a Mexican mother who brings her daughter to America and spends several life-changing months working for a rich restaurant chef and his increasingly insane wife. This film has heart, and it has it in spades.
Paz Vega (who is, I have to say, absolutely gorgeous) plays Flor Moreno, a young mother who comes to America to give her daughter Cristina (Shelbie Bruce) the best life possible. Not knowing a word of English, she works two jobs to make ends meet - until she accepts a housekeeping job with the Clasky family. The Claskys are not exactly normal. The husband, John (Adam Sandler), is a wildly successful chef who always seems to be in sort of a fog, while the wife, Deborah (Tea Leoni), is a narcissistic woman with an ever-growing number of neuroses and an almost infinite capacity to annoy. Their daughter needs the kind of support that Deborah seems incapable of providing, while their son must have been put in the film as a favor to someone important because he serves no purpose whatsoever in the story. Cloris Leachman shines as Deborah's wise mother who has plenty of advice to give based on her own mistakes.
Things are going OK until the family rents a summer cottage on the beach, and Flor and Cristina move in. Suddenly, Cristina is given access to a world she has never known, and Deborah is particularly brazen about giving things to Cristina that Flor could never afford - even a scholarship to a swanky private school. John makes his own mistakes with Cristina and her mother, but he and Flor eventually develop what he might call a simpatico relationship. Deborah eventually becomes quite out of control, basically treating Cristina as her own daughter. Even as she is being isolated and alienated by Deborah, Flor begins drawing closer to John. Through it all, though, she makes all of her decisions based on her daughter's best interests.
I thought Spanglish was just an outstanding film. It may have gone a little far in terms of turning the audience completely against Deborah (Tea Leoni, I might add, seems to age about thirty years over the course of this film), but the central message of the film comes through loud and clear. You don't exactly close the book on these characters when the movie ends, as there is some ambiguity involved with the conclusion, but that seems quite fitting here. I thought Adam Sandler was terrific, but his casting for the role of John Clasky is a bit of a two-edged sword. Some Sandler fans will come to Spanglish expecting another extreme comedy and be surprised if not disappointed, while other viewers may turn away from the film because they assume it is another typical Sandler vehicle. I hope this movie continues to get the attention it deserves from all audiences, though, as it really is a wonderfully made film that tells an emotionally poignant story.
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I laughed.... I cried!!, May 19 2005
By A Customer
I thought that this movie was VERY good! I laughed so much at Tea Leoni's portrayal of a desperate housewife who is just a little bit LOCO!! SHe is kooky and yet you can't help but feel for her! The spanish housekeeper was amazing in the serious role...she was charming and beautiful. Adam Sandler's daughter also capture a place in my heart! She was so sweet and endearing, she only plays a small role, but she does it so well!
It was a bittersweet movie, and I think that it would be enjoyable to both men and women! A good date movie!
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A different departure for Adam Sandler, April 19 2005
By A Customer
This movie was alright. It's kind of funny but mostly serious. This movie proves that Adam Sandler can act and do serious stuff too. Although some scenes are just out and out ridiculous, I would still go out and rent this movie.
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