Roger Ebert tore down some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters throughout the decades, but heartbreak shaped many of his harshest reviews. While many critics readily dismissed Adam Sandler as a product of lowbrow Hollywood, Ebert remained determined to give him a chance. Over the years, the legendary critic watched every new movie with frustration because behind every slapstick performance and tantrum, he saw the soul of a brilliant actor.
While Ebert would never go on to love any of Sandler’s traditional comedy movies, he continued to believe the man behind those films had the potential to become an exceptional dramatic actor, if only he chose to pursue it. Then came a movie which changed the critic’s perception for good.
What Roger Ebert Saw In Adam Sandler That Others Missed
Roger Ebert was certainly not the biggest fan of Adam Sandler’s movies. In fact, most of them did not receive good reviews from him. Yet, contrary to popular opinion, he never hated the actor and was actually willing to appreciate his talent someday.
While reviewing ‘The Waterboy’ in 1998, Ebert admitted he didn’t actually harbor a visceral dislike for Sandler. But he confessed that he often wondered if he was developing one while sitting through the actor’s films.
However, Ebert expressed his wish to see something great from Sandler. He believed the actor had more to offer in terms of his acting abilities. According to him, Sandler was constantly making the same mistakes, choosing characters that relied on loud laughs and childish humor.
While criticizing the movies, Ebert kept thinking that the actor had chosen to rely on his favorite formula time and time again and needed to challenge himself with something different.
The critic admitted that he had met Sandler on multiple occasions and came away impressed by the actor’s intelligence and kindness, qualities that stood in stark contrast to the characters he portrayed on screen.
“I try to keep an open mind and approach every movie with high hopes. It would give me enormous satisfaction (and relief) to like him in a movie. But I suggest he is making a tactical error when he creates a character whose manner and voice has the effect of fingernails on a blackboard, and expects us to hang in there for a whole movie,” Ebert said.
Ebert was so frustrated with Sandler’s career choice. He believed the man was wasting his talents by playing the same roles over and over again. He thought Sandler was missing his chance to properly develop his acting skills.
How ‘Punch-Drunk Love’ Rewarded Ebert’s Long-Held Belief
Adam Sandler ultimately rewarded Roger Ebert’s faith in his dramatic abilities by teaming up with director Paul Thomas Anderson on ‘Punch-Drunk Love.’ The unconventional romantic comedy-drama allowed Sandler to move away from the loud comic personas that had defined much of his career.
In Case You Missed It: The 2002 Psychological Horror Masterpiece That Earned Four Stars From Roger Ebert
He delivered a restrained, emotionally nuanced performance that greatly impressed Ebert. This movie, as he saw it, was enough to prove once again that Sandler could shine if given the right circumstances, material, and direction.
After that movie, Ebert hoped that Sandler would never return to the same old formula. According to him, it was high time the actor moved on to making more challenging films. And the praise he had received for ‘Punch-Drunk Love’ proved he was definitely capable of it.
While Sandler mostly continued making funny movies in the following years, Ebert rightly assessed the actor’s dramatic abilities. Although the critic passed away in 2013, Sandler would later earn widespread recognition as an actor through films such as ‘Uncut Gems,’ ‘Hustle,’ and ‘Spaceman.’
Through his nuanced roles, Sandler proved to everyone that he had more than just comedy in him after the critic’s death. But it was clear that Roger Ebert was one of the few people who always thought so.
You Might Also Like To Read: The Real Cannes Robbery That Mirrors Alfred Hitchcock’s Classic Thriller
