CLICK

Rating 3.5 out of 5

Adam Sandler is known for his comedic roles, which often lean heavily into a more juvenile sense of humour, but he also has some serious dramatic acting chops as seen in films like Uncut Gems and Jay Kelly. Bridging these two sides of him as an actor is 2006’s Click, finding a harmonious balance between silly comedic gags and emotionally stirring reflection on life and what is most important, leading to one of Sandler’s more timeless comedies that holds up twenty years later… even if universal remote controls have gone the way of the dodo bird in today’s world of smart technology.

What if you had the ability to control how your life plays out? Mute conversations you don’t want to listen to, fast forward being sick, and rewind to past events that you forgot the specific details about. That is the premise of Click, in which Sandler’s Michael Newman is given a universal remote control that gives him this ability and more as he balances the obligations of his demanding job and his family. Never short on that signature Sandler humour, Steve Koren and Mark O’Keefe’s screenplay offers up lots of fart jokes, a running gag throughout the film of Michael’s dogs being obsessed with humping a giant stuffed duck, and many more comedic bits. Even though they have a bathroom sense of humour to them, they are harmless and perfectly entertaining as they lean into the powers of the universal remote control and Michael’s ability to control his life as he sees fit.

But, what has made Click endure over the past twenty years is the sentimentality at the heart of the story. Echoing classic stories like It’s A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol, Click is about appreciating what you have in life and living life in the moment, and it never gets lost in the Sandler humour of it all. Watching his life play out before him as the universal remote control takes over, Michael is forced to come to terms with what is really important in life: the corporate success that he thinks will make his life better, or the love of his family and the quality time spent with him. There is no secret where the story is going to end, but with the right balance of heart and laughter, there is no denying that Click is one of the more sentimental films in Sandler’s filmography that never fails to deliver warmth and charm with each rewatch.

As he always is in his comedies, Sandler is incredibly goofy and downright entertaining as Michael, bringing the classic Sandman with all his quirks and charm to the character. At the same time, there is a quiet reflection and inner regret that Sandler builds in Michael as he sees everything important in his life begin to slip away, helping to bring out the true meaning of this story and showcasing some of his dramatic acting chops. Kate Beckinsale is enjoyable as Michael’s wife Donna, helping to build the story’s emotional core by creating a caring and lovely wife for Michael, helping the audience to see the obvious that the best aspect of Michael’s life is right in front of him and he just can’t see it. Beckinsale never gets to truly let loose her comedic side, but the screenplay leaves her with more of the emotional heavylifting and she helps to deliver most of the feels as Michael’s life plays out, making a strong acting partner for Sandler. Christopher Walken brings a playful kookiness to Morty, while maintaining the mystery to the Bed, Bath & Beyond employee who gives Michael the universal remote, helping to build the messaging at the centre of the screenplay in the final act with a confidence and grounded performance that counteracts Sandler’s more comedic stylings perfectly. Helping to deliver some of the laughs are David Hasselhoff and Jennifer Coolidge in two of the film’s supporting performances, proving to be great scene stealers and feed off Sandler’s comedic timing excellently, while Joseph Castanon and Danielle Tatum McCann are bundles of joy as Michael’s two children in their younger years. Aiding the performances is the film’s fantastic make up and hair design, helping to age the cast up and down as the universal remote takes Adam through his life based on the path he is, which is the true standout of the film.

Wearing its heart on its sleeve while delivering lots of laugh out loud moments that will delight viewers of all ages, Adam Sandler finds an earnest sentiment in Click that both entertains and reminds viewers to appreciate their loved ones and enjoy the life they have as you never know when you will lose what truly matters.