The Benchwarmers (2006) August 9, 2006
Posted by gproject in : Recently Viewed , trackbackDirected by: Dennis Dugan
Few film companies can say that their involvement actually affects how a movie is perceived. But Happy Madison, the Adam Sandler owned production company, is one name that certainly comes with connotations attached. When you see that logo on a movie or trailer you expect a silly, sometimes lowbrow, always fun-loving attitude in the flick. And usually you’re right - The Benchwarmers is no exception. Is it silly? Certainly. Lowbrow? Check. Fun-loving? Of course! But is it any good? Well unfortunately not, though it isn’t for a lack of trying.
You can forget the plot about three nerdy ‘older guys’ who play little league baseball in order to show a new generation of geeks that you shouldn’t let bullies get you down. Quite frankly, it’s ridiculous. Can 3 people even play baseball against a full team? And there’s a nice moral aspect focusing on the extent of bullying and how it affects people, but it’s played out through stereotypes (jocks are good at sports but stupid, nerds are terrible at sports but smart), so it doesn’t quite hit home like it should.
Happy Madison regulars David Spade & Rod Schneider (in a surprisingly straight role after the likes of Deuce Bigalow), are joined by newcomer to the fray Jon Heder – who fits in perfectly. There are plenty of slapstick antics to enjoy, and some nice support from Jon Lovitz as an eccentric multi-billionaire father (what else?). Ultimately it comes down to how much you like the cast as to whether you’ll enjoy the movie or not.
I was disappointed, but maybe I expected more from writers Allen Covert & Nick Swardson (who appears in the movie too). They also wrote Grandma’s Boy, released earlier this year, and despite thinking I would hate it (probably due to seeing a Happy Madison logo on the trailer), it actually turned out pretty good – review coming soon. I’ve also seen some of Swardson’s stand-up and he’s a funny guy, it’s just a shame that the same talent doesn’t show here. I haven’t given up hope though. And I’m sure there’s plenty more where The Benchwarmers came from.
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