Jack and Jill – Film Review
Director: Dennis Duggan
Starring: Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes and Al Pacino
Distributor: Sony Pictures
How is it that, at no point in the writing, directing or production of this film, no one stopped to think ‘Hang on, this film is what the Mayans were actually talking about!’ The premise for this movie is so painfully awful that South Park actually used it as a joke to poke fun at Adam Sandler, years before the film was even thought of. (see here).
The plot is utterly non-existent, with the film ‘thriving’ entirely on the ludicrous idea of Adam Sandler dressed in drag. As the film poster indicates, Jack is a straight-laced business man, and his sister Jill is coming to stay awhile. Jack isn’t overly fond of her, but by the end credits, they have learned to get along.
In between, there are any number of pointless and nonsensical scenes, none of which aid the story in any way. However, they do give Adam Sandler a chance to squeal in a high pitched voice, and show off his legs in some disturbingly short skirts. It is promoted as a comedy, but be warned: any of the other three walls in the cinema has the potential to be more entertaining than the one the film is being projected on.
The cast all bear a perpetual grimace, as they all seem completely aware of what their appearance within this film is doing to their careers. Katie Holmes epitomises the concept of bland, giving her character no noticeable personality traits, other than being Katie Holmes.The real puzzler is why Al Pacino, one of the most revered actors of all time, agreed to star in a film whose only real potential is as a frisbee when it is released on DVD.
To give him credit, he adds charisma to the role, but because the writing for his character is so unintelligent, he cannot escape the fate of the rest of the cast. Johnny Depp, looking very embarrassed, also cameos briefly. In an attempt to laugh his appearance off as a joke, it is easy to believe he insisted on wearing the Justin Bieber t-shirt he is sporting, to emphasize the ridiculousness of the situation. Pacino does something similar towards the films conclusion, but it is such a cringe-worthy scene that it is more likely to make the audience feel physically ill than actually reassure them.
There are so many problems with this film that to list them all would be an almost endless, and indeed, pointless task. It looks cheap, the performances are instantly forgettable and the only laughs anyone will get out of it will come from mocking it afterwards. If you are offered a choice between seeing this film and eating a cactus, take some time to consider how much fibre is in a cactus.
Score: 1/5
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