Hey folks, Harry here... I'm a huge fan of the original Frank Capra film, MR DEEDS GOES TO TOWN, I last saw it about 3 years ago at the Paramount Theater here in Austin with an audience spackled with loud obnoxious folks ruining the film with inappropriate buffoonery, namely this lady sitting right behind me who was apparently the laugh track recorder for Lafwick from PINNOCHIO. Anyway, point being, quite a bit of what makes Capra great for those of us that love him, doesn't really translate with the mainstream audiences any more. It pains me to say that, but seemingly 'boy scouts' are often treated with cynical laughter fromt the modern audiences today... seen as being unbelievable. So while I tend to loathe Adam Sandler all the way across the board, I look forward to this as an update on the story. It has to be better than that late sixties/seventies TV show... whew... And this version has a great supporting cast! From the sound of the screening... it works. Thanks to SkywalkerOS8 for the pics, Click here for more from the set of DEEDS!!!
Hello there Harry... After reading your site for about 4 years, at long last, I finally have a small scoop to send to you.
Anyhoo, last night, I was lucky enough to be in the first screening audience to see Adam Sandler's newest film, "Deeds". It was a pretty early version. It was projected in video, in pretty poor quality, no credits, there were some special effects to be touched up, and there was temp music throughout. But it was still put together nicely already (it isn't supposed to be released until June).
Now to preface this, I have to say that lately, I'm somewhat of a lukewarm
Sandler fan. I'm a big fan of his early stuff on SNL, and my favorite of his
films would have to be among the earlier ones, like Billy Madison and Happy
Gilmore (which are among my favorite recent comedies). I've kind of fallen
from the flock so to speak, when it comes to his latest films. Big Daddy
never quite did it for me, and I seem to be avoiding Little Nicky like I owe
him money. But with his latest offering, I do believe that the Sandman is
back, and may just have a hit on his hands. As with the Wedding Singer,
Sandler is playing it a bit more toned-down; going more for the tone of a
romantic comedy (with a capital C). Like many of his best previous films, he
puts together a great supporting cast that raises the film to a new level.
And by surrounding himself with great talent, Adam comfortably slides into
his best role: that of the slightly skewed straight man -- the nice guy with
the crazy side. It's one of his most likable performances.
Sad to say, I've never seen the original, but I feel like I've seen variations on the theme about a thousand times. Innocent, small time guy Mr. Longfellow Deeds (Sandler), finds out his long-lost uncle has died, and left him an estate worth $40 Billion. Sleazy, greedy people - namely businessman (Peter Gallagher) and seemingly treacherous reporter (Winona Ryder), try to take advantage of Deeds' naive nature for their own profit. [non-specific spoiler ahead] Our hero defeats the greedy enemy, inspires people with his goodness, and wins the girl. Well, maybe we've seen the formula a thousand times because it works -- and it definitely worked one more time.
The cast:
Winona Ryder
Where has she been? I know, I know, she's been making critically acclaimed movies, movies about crazy houses, alien sequels, horror films... But I feel like I haven't liked her since Reality Bites or Heathers. It's great to see her in a human role for the first time in a while. And she does a great job. As the undercover reporter who poses as a small town girl to get closer to Mr. Deeds, she never treads into sleazy, ballbusting-reporter territory. She is simply forced into an uncomfortable situation, and plays it beautifully.
Peter Gallagher
Mighty brows gives a great performance as the conniving Executive out to steal Deeds' fortune. Very reminiscent of what I feel to be his best role in recent years: American Beauty. He's scheming and evil; but quietly, patiently, and confidently so. And the bickering, deteriorating relationship between he and his bearded underling, played by Erick Avari, is hilarious at points.
Allen Covert
My favorite of all Sandler's cronies, he turns in another very funny turn as Winona's coworker at her tabloid-TV show. He is obsessed with Winona, and plays most of the film bruised and battered at the hands of multiple characters, which never seems to get old. And I pray that his nude scene leaves my memory quickly; very funny, but very, very disturbing...
John Tuturro
His character is the Spanish butler of Deeds' new place in NY. He may be the best part of the film. He's Spanish, he's sneaky, and he likes feet -- he's like a long-lost, nicer brother of his character Jesus from The Big Lebowski, repressed into a life of servitude. He steals every scene in which he appears -- (and disappears).
Steve Buscemi Plays a character named crazy eyes. He has really crazy eyes.
All in all, I would have to say that this may be my favorite Sandler movie to
date. A few memorable scenes pop into mind: the restaurant beating, the foot
beating, the first beating of Allen Covert, Winona beating the kid, Winona
beating the woman, the beating of the quarterback; but this movie is more
than beatings, it has heart, dammit.
I will definitely say that it is his most balanced of Sandler's films since the Wedding Singer, and should appeal to a very wide audience. The romance works for the ladies, and the Sandler-patented ass-kicking works for the gentlemen. Very enjoyable, and I think it will even get better with multiple viewings. Too bad I have to wait until June to see it again...
And even if I'm way off, at the very least, this is a great film to tide us over until we can feast our eyes upon Sandler in PTA's X-4 Project/Punchdrunk Love/Just Desserts... or whatever they're calling it these days...
Thanks Harry... As I said, I ain't in the industry (yet), so I probably won't have much in the way of scoops in the future. But I guess if you need a name, call me...
Mr. Jonesing
