Click: An Odd Consortium of Vaudeville and Drama

Oddly, Click Addresses a Timely and Important Issue

By Codie Leonsch Hartwig, published Jul 18, 2006
Published Content: 173  Total Views: 73,381  Favorited By: 29 CPs
Rating: 3.3 of 5
Adam Sandler and director Frank Coraci (Around the World) bring together an odd combination of bawdy vaudeville humor and realistic dramatic acting in Click. This combination is about as odd as his collection of actors. David Hasselhof doing a parody of a past TV role; a buxom blond (Jennifer Coolidge) being overtly voyeuristic, apparently all her life; a comedic/straight man duo as mom and pop (Julie Kavner and Henry Winkler) ; a wife and mother who is barely believable but more so once she has her hair out of her face (and why does she most often wear skimpy pj's?); Christopher Walker as an eerie master technician cum crooner with a slight German accent; Manish Goyal, and Sean Astin (50 First Dates, The Lord of the Rings ) as Sheik Habibu and Al "Speedo." And of course Adam Sandler as Michael Newman.

Michael Newman's wife, Donna Newman (Kate Beckinsale, The Aviator and Van Helsing) improved greatly as she aged and the children were sweet and (quite obviously) having a good time with Adam Sandler. Michael's parents were ultra-realistic, straight from any body's and everybody's real life. 

Adam Sandler, despite his penchant and inexplicable preference for antiquated slapstick comedy, is, surprisingly, a good dramatic actor. He portrayed the struggle and emotion and anguish of his character spot-on. His most dramatic scene, occurring in the street, was no laughing matter. The ending portions of Click, and Sandler's most important scenes, were vividly enhanced by the realistic dramatic acting of Jack Hoffman (Adam and Eve, son of actor Dustin Hoffman).

Click is about a misadventure in the time continuum. An overworked architect, husband and father with admirable ambitions finds himself beleaguered by demands at work and at home. As a result of these demands, he sleeps where he happens to fall over, whether on the sofa or at his desk, and is short-tempered with himself and the rest of his (may I say, slightly insensitive and uncomprehending) beloved family. 

Click: An Odd Consortium of Vaudeville and Drama

Michael Newman, played by Adam Sandler, acquires a universal remote control in the comedic drama, Click.

Credit: Tracy Bennett

Copyright: Columbia Pictures

Takeaways
  • Despite the vaudeville slapstick, there is fine dramatic acting in Click.
  • The screenplay addresses serious issues which are timely and important.
  • Linguistic semantics drives the story of Click forward.
Did You Know?
The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary Careers, by James A. Citrin and Richard Smith, which addresses Michael Newman's problems in Click, is a must-read and is available through Amazon.com.
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