WHAT IS IT ABOUT: Adam Sandler stars as Skeeter, a hotel janitor who is ambling his was through a relaxed life when something magical happens. When babysitting his niece and nephew, he discovers that the stories he tells them at bedtime actually become reality! With this super-power in hand, he sets about manouvering his own destiny so that he can become manager of the hotel he works in, and have the life he's always dreamed of.
IS IT ANY GOOD: If you hear there's a new film coming out starring Adam Sandler and Russell Brand, you wouldn't think it would be a family film would you? Well, Bedtime Stories fits (although rather awkardly) into that bracket. In my own adult opinion, it's just a nice film, a light-hearted drama with plenty of comic moments that encourages creativity and ambition. It has a touch of fantasy to it, with some of the stories being set in the time of the knights and that sort of thing, and would probably appeal to young teens upwards.
Plot-wise, it's an interesting story, with enough going on to keep you going for the hour and a half it lasts. It doesn't quite find its feet in terms of is it a comedy, a romance, a kids film or a fantasy, choosing rather to dip in and out of all them at will. Because of this, it often feels a bit disjointed, and lacks the clarity of focus it might have had with tighter scripting.
Acting-wise, Sandler gives his archetypal role of dopey but funny, and I have to say that appeals to me a lot. Russell Brand gives an unmemorable showing, but the most tragic performance is reserved for Guy Pearce. How can a man, who gave such a brilliant performance in 'Memento', be reduced to a naive stereotype in this film? The movie does nothing for him, and it's a wonder he took it.
All in all, this is a light-hearted film that certainly entertains, but the disjointed focus means it's nothing to write home about.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
very helpful by (30%):
helpful by (70%):
