Ending is predictably gooey but Sandler's edge staves off the sludge for long enough in an otherwise fresh and funny piece.
Comment
06/02/08
Big Daddy (1999)
40
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:91
Fresh:36
Rotten:55
Average Rating:4.9/10
Consensus: It is sloppily put together and not as funny as Sandler's other movies.
Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Sandler stars as Sonny Koufax, a perpetual adolescent whose girlfriend gives him the ultimatum of taking some responsibility into his life or saying goodbye to her. Magically, the child of his... [More]
Starring: Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, Jon Stewart, Rob Schneider
Director: Dennis Dugan
Reviews for Big Daddy
Top CriticThis lightweight, bubblegum caper synthesises robust, physical humour, self-deprecation and witty one liners. The main problem, as with most other dumb boy pictures, is that the supporting characters are underwritten.
02/09/06
Top CriticThe simplistic shooting structure which slavishly separates comic set-pieces and plot exposition with musical montages doesn't help things.
03/05/02
Big Daddy is clear evidence that -- for the moment at least -- this pony doesn't need a new trick.
01/01/00
Top CriticIt's impossible to produce anything worthwhile from this screenplay, which has ugly, twisted morals.
01/01/00
The heavy-handed sentimentality provokes a most violent gag reflex.
11/29/09
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08/07/08
This light yet earnest drama starring Adam Sandler deals openly with one of the most insidious elements in popular filmmaking -- the male screenwriter's relationship with his own father.
06/02/08
Those expecting another run of the mill Sandler film will either be pleasantly surprised or disgusted by this foray of his into new and different territory.
01/15/08
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12/27/07
Another genial Sandler opus.
07/23/07
However simplistic Big Daddy is, it is also easy viewing.
12/11/06
Things roll along quite charmingly, until the action hit the courtroom and gets bogged down in a boorish, maudlin custody case.
12/06/05
Funny-sweet, understand, not bleccchh sweet.
07/21/05
An essentially mean-spirited comedy.
04/09/05
Sandler continues to bring a sweetness, irreverence and unpredictability to the screen that make hits out of his films.
05/20/03
Though there are several truly funny moments in Big Daddy, they're all included in the trailer, so if you've seen it, that's all you need.
02/08/03
Not so bad.
10/15/02
...you just might wind up with a new found respect for Sandler.
09/26/02
Don't expect La Dolce Vita and you'll love Big Daddy.
09/10/02
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