What does it say about a movie when the opening and ending credits are the funniest parts? Adam Sandler’s “Jack and Jill” starts and ends well, but too bad the actual movie lacks in entertainment value. The beginning shows different sets of twins telling snippets of their stories and how much they love being a twin. They are short, sweet and seemingly genuine.
As with previous movies starring Sandler’s antics, this one, at times, horribly misses the mark and ends up feeling dragged out. Even the audience becomes uncomfortable because they know what’s on screen is supposed make them laugh…and it just doesn’t. He sneaks in easy jokes: bathroom troubles, weird love interests and strange looking people to gain some chuckles. And in this case, that strange looking person is himself in drag as well as a crazed Al Pacino. PG is an appropriate rating for Jack and Jill because it’s the PG-minded audience that will enjoy the movie most.
Sandler stars as both ad executive, Jack and his twin sister, Jill who is visiting from the Bronx for Thanksgiving and decides to stay through the end of the year. The movie does have some moments that are sweet and silly. Jack’s son likes to Scotch tape things to himself including his food and Jill’s pet bird. Jack and Jill have a jump rope moment aboard a cruise ship on their family vacation. Jack and Jill have sisterly/brotherly moments of when you love and hate your sibling at the same time.
Those familiar with Happy Madison productions will enjoy the cameos by his fellow comedians. Johnny Depp is even seen briefly while Katie Holmes would’ve been better going that route versus being cast as Jack’s yawn-worthy wife. In an odd turn, Al Pacino plays himself as the actor Jack wants to star in a Dunkin’ Donuts commercial and the man who inexplicably falls in lust with Jill. Pacino looks like he has missed a week of sleep and plays what seems to be a parody of an actor who’s parodying Al Pacino. If that doesn’t make sense, then you’ll understand what his time on screen plays out like, which oddly is a mix between entertaining and head-scratch worthy.
“Jack and Jill” is nothing remarkably hilarious. It’s funny enough, but in a “Big Daddy” television rerun sort of way.