Film Reviews

Bedtime Stories

• Rating:
• Director: Adam Shankman
• Starring: Adam Sandler, Courteney Cox, Guy Pearce
• Details: USA / TBC / (PG)

Adam Sandler moves into kiddie territory with this charming and humorous tale that still bears his own singular imprint. The Sandman plays Skeeter, a handyman at a successful hotel that was once owned by his father. When his sister goes away for a job interview, Skeeter is tasked with casting an eye over her offspring, and passes the time by telling them exaggerated tales of his own life - where he's the hero that's cruelly overlooked by the hierarchy, played in varying forms by a game Guy Pearce. Soon, he realises that whatever story he tells comes true in reality; so he sets about designing tales that will see him become the huge success story that he always dreamed he could be. Opening on St. Stephen's Day, Bedtime Stories is the type of film that your kids will lap up, while you, too, will find plenty here to warm your cockles and amuse you thoroughly. Sandler has obviously been softened up somewhat by having kids of his own, and he's made a film here that is his most congenial effort in recent years - not just for children, but for newcomers to his often abrasive style of comedy. His films are always sweet, though, and there was a danger that this could overload on the sugar-coating; but Hairspray director Shankman proves himself a worthy inclusion to the Happy Madison universe by helming his most consistently funny effort in years. It's not the type of film that will have you falling off the chair, having soiled yourself with the hilarity of it all - but you'll have a broad smile on your face for the vast majority of the running time, and its not often you can say that about a film aimed squarely at the young 'uns. Russell Brand, whilst hardly stretching himself, does a good job of playing the sidekick; whereas Kerri Russell is used more effectively than those who have gone before her in the obligatory "girlfriend" role. Easily Sandler's best effort in a few years, Bedtime Stories benefits from a solid director and Sandler's everyman amiability.

Review by Mike Sheridan