Little Nicky
For some inexplicable reason, I don’t like Adam Sandler. While I know that there are many people out there who, too, feel the wrath of Sandler hate whenever he comes on screen, mine is much more complex. Mainly, because I don’t want to hate Adam Sandler. Back in the day, he was hilarious and movies such as The Wedding Singer and Happy Gilmore. And especially Big Daddy, which is funny and tear jerking at the same time. Even his stand-up was good. Recently, he seems to be hurtling further down the rabbit hole; opening a blunderland of stupid slapstick comedies that aren’t funny.
Then there is Little Nicky. Oh Little Nicky; the film that teeters between humour and idiocy. If you haven’t heard of this movie, Little Nicky is about the ugly, pretty benevolent and favourite son of the Devil. When his brothers hatch a scheme to usurp the throne of Beelzebub, it is only up the Nicky to stop them before Hell is unleashed on Earth. With the help of talking dog, metal knuckleheads and a beautiful shy named Valerie, Nicky needs to use all his powers to stop the apocalypse. Starring Harvey Keitel and Rhys Ifans, Little Nicky is a bonehead movie.
Why Is It Bad?
It is so dumb and tasteless. Like most Sandler’s movies it relies on over blown stereotypes, shitty childish moments and a failure to grasp the fundaments of comedy. It’s horrendous. Sandler also creates an aesthetically jarring character with this ridiculous voice and a face that, unfortunately, is used as a punch bag for jokes for people who find offence hilarious. Strenously tying a plot together through tit, shit and puke gags, Little Nicky is tiresome. Similar to his friend Rob Schneider, the jokes here are pitiful and has been named as Worst Comedy of All Time, nominated for a large amount of Razzies?
Why is it Good?
So after all that, you could be wondering “what part of Little Nicky did you enjoy Cookie? You just slammed it?” Truth be told, part of it is down to the largely talented cast that seem to be roped in. Trying their best under the circumstances, the movie boasts cast such as Rhys Ifans, Patricia Arqutte and Reese Witherspoon. There are moments of titter particularly with the Quentin Tarantino cameo. But more over than this, there is an endearment with Nicky. Although he is pretty much a punch bag throughout the film, his general naivety and kindness pulls you into the story. If Sandler just lost the voice and face, he would be pretty watchable.
In a film where the biggest guffaws are uttered by demons with breasts on their heads, you know it’s a lost cause and perhaps it is the teenager in me that is clinging on to this movie. I suppose it’s the nice morals and sentiments underneath it. But if Sandler and co spent less time with the immaturity, they could have crafted a pretty decent comedy.
There are the flames of a good movie and it could be heaven for some.
But it will be hell for many.
TTFN
Cookie.