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Carole Mallory

Carole Mallory

Posted: February 11, 2011 12:07 PM

Jennifer Aniston (Katherine) just goes with it. She holds a mediocre script together as does
Brooklyn Decker (Palmer) who is more than window dressing. But the humor in Just Go With It is flat and tiresome, with lines like "frenamie", "eurotrashani" and rampant scatological jokes. In one scene a child "craps on the arm of an Austrian sheep dealer" -- Sandler's writing tries hard, too hard.

And what is Oscar winner Nicole Kidman (Devlin) doing playing such a vacuous role in this struggling-for-the-jokes romantic comedy? Aniston holds her acting ability high and plays like a world cup champion off of Sandler's volleys. But one expects more from Sandler (Danny). When Sandler is bad he is awful, but he is not awful in this film, he is flat. Surrounded by Aniston and Decker, Sandler shines as much as he can with this god awful writing and bad acting in supporting roles. Nick Swardson (Eddie) as the Austrian internet sheep dealer is pure schtick and one child fakes a cockney accent that grates on any desire to see the rest of the film -- a schtick ridden package. This is as much a reflection of the bad writing as the bad acting by a junior miss, Bailee Madison (Maggie) who is trying to play cute rather than be cute. Aniston makes what works in the film work because she is unfazed by Decker's beauty and unfazed by the poor acting around her, unfazed by the forced humor in the writing but manages to make her moments real -- which is why Danny, (Sandler) truly loves her and so does the audience.

The plot involves Danny who was born with a nose like an olive, fixes it and tries to fix his life by lying to women just to get laid... and "get laid" is the appropriate terminology, as he is the quintessential chauvinist pig. Katherine is plastic surgeon Danny's medical assistant. She has two children from a previous marriage and Danny is pressured by them and Palmer to take them all to Hawaii. Danny deceives Palmer by pretending Katherine's children are his and that Katherine is his soon to be ex-wife. Palmer will agree to have sex only with a divorced Danny. To use the words "make love" would not be in Danny's lexicon until the end of the film when he "grows up."

Reasons to see the film include seeing Brooklyn Decker walking out of the water in a yellow bikini in a shot reminiscent of Bo Derek in Ten, and Jennifer Aniston's beauty and ability to make real her moments in a fake romantic comedy. She genuinely smiles her way through this dreck and with her sincerity can convince some theatre go-ers that they've actually enjoyed the film.

 
 
 
Jennifer Aniston (Katherine) just goes with it. She holds a mediocre script together as does Brooklyn Decker (Palmer) who is more than window dressing. But the humor in Just Go With It is flat and ti...
Jennifer Aniston (Katherine) just goes with it. She holds a mediocre script together as does Brooklyn Decker (Palmer) who is more than window dressing. But the humor in Just Go With It is flat and ti...
 
 
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10:57 AM on 02/14/2011
I will admit—I’m a fan of the juvenile humor of Adam Sandler and not so keen on Jennifer Aniston. Maybe too much transparency has prejudiced my judgment of her acting skills. Nicole is always awesome, while the hot shots of Brooklyn Decker are a whole ‘nother story. In the case of this movie though, Carole is dead on. Sandler seems to go through the motions, Kidman is untouchably goddess-like, Aniston is pure class and quality. And…oh yes, Decker is hot as they come. Though I read this too late to save my dough, I did enjoy the hot fresh popcorn and icy soda. Thanks for a well-written review. Enjoyed it more than the flick…
09:35 AM on 02/13/2011
I saw the movie last night and LOVED it. Everyone acted their part well. I watched it with a packed theater and everyone was cracking up! i walked away mostly remembering how FUNNY and SWEET, the movie is. Another example as to why i never listen to the reviews!
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AsISaid
05:03 PM on 02/12/2011
Adam Sandler has only made one, maybe two decent movies. His humor is too contrived for my taste.
02:17 PM on 02/12/2011
Boy, you're so right on--and the lazy overuse of words like "frenemy" and Eurotrash, friends with benefits, all that....it drives me to distraction.
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youvebeenflagged
12:48 PM on 02/12/2011
You've invested more time thinking about this movie than the screewriters.
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E. Jean Carroll
ELLE MAGAZINE ADVICE COLUMNIST
11:23 AM on 02/12/2011
Intriguing insights into the heart, the mind, and the uterus of an actress!
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Carole Mallory
journalist, actress, professor, movie critic
01:59 PM on 02/12/2011
U Make me laugh. Thanks for taking the time and finger power to comment in your busy schedule
02:10 PM on 02/12/2011
It's one thing to review a movie that is bad, and there are plenty of them out there...even the ones that have 4 stars, but to rip a person to shreds is another story. It's not classy.
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PatrickHenryNow
Teddy Roosevelt Rocks
10:45 AM on 02/12/2011
This is a Good funny film..C'mon....Dave Matthews is a trip !!!!Go See It !!!!
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Carole Mallory
journalist, actress, professor, movie critic
02:00 PM on 02/12/2011
I saw it and cringed throughout. Sorry Pat. Only Jen and yellow binkini beauty keep it up.
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stape45
Spin this!
02:50 AM on 02/12/2011
I liked "Click", but mainly because co-star Kate looked so freakin' HOT!
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inmyhumbleopinion
Vote third party.
08:36 PM on 02/11/2011
Adam Sandler is one of those actors whose fame totally perplexes me. He's not funny. He's not talented. He's simply an obnoxious teenager who never grew up. I avoid his movies like the plague, Aniston or no Aniston.
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Carole Mallory
journalist, actress, professor, movie critic
09:24 PM on 02/11/2011
His charm is in improve, but not in this film, though he is not awful, ,,,,just blah,.
02:45 PM on 02/13/2011
I have not seen this film, nor will I see it...It sounds stupid and
I have seen the promos on this film.
However, your writing is amusing...

Myrna Post
11:47 PM on 02/11/2011
I avoid his movies. The coolest thing he's ever done, I think, is this The Who tribute/introduction for a televised music show. Playing a My Generation riff, he comes off as a sincere, nerdy fanboy of the Who. I can dig that, and relate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAS2WLlhk_E
06:44 PM on 02/11/2011
The old Doris Day romcom's are more sophisticated ...and funnier.
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Carole Mallory
journalist, actress, professor, movie critic
09:26 PM on 02/11/2011
Sophistication is not part of this film and you make a good point....
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ValdaDeDieu
Author: NOCTURNE, BLOODPACT, DEATH MISSION TRILOGY
02:56 PM on 02/11/2011
Thanks for a very well-written review, with clear distinctions and astute observations on the acting, script, actors and their chemistry. I go see anything by Jennifer Aniston, and so it's refreshing to read a critique without an ax to grind where she's concerned.
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Carole Mallory
journalist, actress, professor, movie critic
04:35 PM on 02/11/2011
I never saw her in Friends and 'was asleep' for the entire Brad Pitt and Angelina debacle, but all of that stuff should not shed a tear on her superior acting and grace under the pressure of a thoroughly horrible script
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ValdaDeDieu
Author: NOCTURNE, BLOODPACT, DEATH MISSION TRILOGY
07:01 PM on 02/12/2011
Fanned for YOUR "grace under pressure!" Now excuse me as I exercise mine...
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laddieluv
Dogs are angels with paws.
08:38 PM on 02/11/2011
What makes you think if someone doesn't find Aniston talented or interesting that they have an "ax to grind"?

It's called a personal opinion/assessment/observation/conclusion.

And as individuals, people are entitled to them.

Aniston is almost unwatchable, IMO. Talent-less, IMO.

No ax-grinding here whatsoever.

Just my opinion.
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ValdaDeDieu
Author: NOCTURNE, BLOODPACT, DEATH MISSION TRILOGY
07:02 PM on 02/12/2011
"It's called a personal opinion/as­sessment/o­bservation­/conclusio­n." EXACTLY!

Delighted that you agree with me that I AM entitled to HAVE my own opinion!
01:46 PM on 02/11/2011
Thanks, Carole. I look forward each week to your reviews and articles. Thank you for making it so exciting for all of us. Keep up the good work.
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Carole Mallory
journalist, actress, professor, movie critic
04:38 PM on 02/11/2011
Linda you are a great friend and keep my fingers typing. Give up is not part of my lexicon and with friends like you how can I?
01:16 PM on 02/11/2011
Thanks, Carole, great review and what I expected. Not a fan of JA, I just don't get it, but a lot of people do, so there. Thanks for posting this. Very well written.
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Carole Mallory
journalist, actress, professor, movie critic
01:33 PM on 02/11/2011
Thanks for your comment. I think it is her friendly girl next door quality that she does better than anyone.
01:07 PM on 02/11/2011
Another great review from Ms Mallory. She is always right on with her comments....I will miss this one.
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Carole Mallory
journalist, actress, professor, movie critic
09:32 PM on 02/11/2011
a wise woman,.
12:59 PM on 02/11/2011
Is anyone else sick of Jennifer doing endless Rachel?
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Carole Mallory
journalist, actress, professor, movie critic
09:31 PM on 02/11/2011
i never saw Rachel,.