THE WATERBOY (1998)

Starring: Adam Sandler, Henry Winkler, Allen Covert, Larry Gillard Jr., Fairuza Balk, Kathy Bates, Clint Howard, Rob Schneider, Lawrence Taylor, Jerry Reed, Blake Clark, Jackie Titone

Directed By: Frank Coraci
Written By: Tim Herlihy & Adam Sandler
Director Of Photography: Steven Bernstein
Edited By: Tom Lewis

I know. I am going against fellow critics some of of my movie loving friends. Who feel adam sandler is an abomination on the free world of film. Because he has almost the same schtick in all of his films. The funny weird voice the nice guy/violent asshole with the heart of gold, With Anger Management issues which coincidently ended up being the title of one of his worst movies in my opinion.

I actually like Adam Sandler movies his schtick doesn't bother me. At least no more then any other comedian. Most stars have schtick or habits that they use in there acting even the dramatic actors. It's just depends on how much of the schtick you can take. I mean look jerry lewis did the same thing with his "Hey lady" and his yelling and his retarded way of talking and he's a comic god genius in france. Eddie Murphy does it and still earns 20 million a film. So why can't sandler. He started out with what seemed to be comedies based on sports then cast his net a little bigger.

I also admire how he gives his entourage from both Saturday night live and his college days jobs as actors, writers and directors. He keeps it funny and he has the same instincts as Quentin tarantino to take a retro actor or rather a popular actor from the 70's or 80's and give them substantial parts that they excel in. henry winkler, david hasselhoff, Carl Weathers, Woody harrelson he also seem's to be able to get big name stars to appear in his films to play roles you would never think of them in. Actors who are more known for drama. Steve buscemi, Harvey Kietel, Winona Ryder, Peter Gallagher, Jack Nicholson, Kathy Bates, Patricia arquette, Reese Witherspoon And not only do they excelbut they seem to have a good time doing it.

The Waterboy is the first adam sandler movie I saw in a theater. I was a bit of a movie snob back then it had me cracking up from beginning to the end.

The plot is a college waterboy who has alot of pent up anger ends up joining a college football team. Because of his amazing tackling abilities. Even though he is a man child controlled by his overprotective mother.

I loved lawrence taylor's cameo and his speech about staying away from crack. because when this film came out and I saw it a week before he had been busted for smoking crack. This film is appealing and a good ride perfect for teenage boys and the child we all have in ourselves.

GRADE: C+