'Big Daddy'
The Ringer's Bill Simmons, Joe House, and Sean Fennessey join the Scuba Squad as they rewatch the 1999 hit comedy 'Big Daddy' starring Adam Sandler, Joey Lauren Adams, and Dylan and Cole Sprouse.
Cast
Adam Sandler as Sonny Koufax
Joey Lauren Adams as Layla Maloney
Jon Stewart as Kevin Gerrity
Rob Schneider as Nazo
Steve Buscemi as Homeless Guy at McDonald's
Leslie Mann as Corinne Maloney
Kristy Swanson as Vanessa
Directed by: Dennis Dugan
Written by: Tim Herlihy
Notes
- Originally recorded in 2019 for Luminary as part of the 'Rewatchables 1999' series. Re-released in 2024 on the regular feed.
- Joe House's first-ever Rewatchables appearance.
- Opened at $41.5 million first weekend; made $163 million total – most successful 1990s Sandler movie.
- Rotten Tomatoes 40%, Metacritic 41/100.
- Sandler met his wife Jackie on this movie – she played the waitress in the bar. Started the tradition of her cameoing in almost every Sandler film.
- The Scuba Steve action figure was fictional, made up by Sandler.
- Alan Covert (one of the gay friends) has appeared in 25 Sandler movies; he's Sandler's buddy from NYU.
- Last Adam Sandler comedy before he founded Happy Madison Productions.
- Sandler's five-movie 1995-1999 run: Billy Madison, 'Happy Gilmore', The Wedding Singer, The Waterboy, 'Big Daddy'.
Categories
Quote from Rog's review:
“Big Daddy should be reported to the child welfare office.”
Ebert wrote: 'Big Daddy is a film about a seriously disturbed slacker who adopts a 5-year-old and tutors him in cynicism, cruel practical jokes and antisocial behavior.'
- Bill: the surprise birthday party scene where Sonny blows it. Also the McDonald's breakfast scene, the park scene where they trip rollerbladers, and the hockey game / 'Kangaroo Song' scene.
- House: the kangaroo song scene. Also Sandler sending the 5-year-old to talk to Joey Lauren Adams's character.
- All the Hooters material.
- The terrible cartoon the kid watches.
- The two gay friends storyline (progressive for 1999 but would be nothing now).
- The two gay friends storyline – progressive for 1999.
- Young pre-Daily Show Jon Stewart as the 5th lead.
- Leslie Mann – her impressive 25-year career (House).
- The 'new school of child raising' / give the kid options not orders concept.
- The soundtrack: Sheryl Crow, Garbage 'When I Grow Up,' Limp Bizkit, New Radicals 'You Get What You Give.'
- The Hooters jokes / Leslie Mann shaming – 'by far' (House, Bill).
- The trial scene – 'the worst 8 minutes of this movie' (Bill).
- Sandler's lesbian jokes – 'probably the lesbian man jokes have aged the worst.'
- The trick-or-treating scene where Sonny breaks into someone's house.
Bill Murray and Jack Nicholson allegedly considered for the lead. Bill notes the character is basically the Stripes Bill Murray character.
Adam Sandler – his acting after social services takes the kid away. 'Really bad two minutes.'
Mr. Hurley (the old man who wants to fight Sandler). Joseph Bologna also mentioned.
Leslie Mann – in about 5 scenes, 'hits like 7 threes.' One-question winner.
- The Sprouse twins: coming off Friends, then this movie, then a Disney show.
- Adam Sandler: yes – biggest movie he'd made, five hits in a row, launched Happy Madison Productions.
- The 5-year-old watches shows meant for 3-year-olds.
- Rob Schneider's character can't read – is that supposed to be funny?
- Jon Stewart's character goes to China and stays there after learning he has a kid on his doorstep.
- Living in that NYC apartment on a $200,000 settlement is not believable even in 1999.
- House: the dad – his speech at the trial calling Sonny a total moron was validating.
- Bill: Sandler won – because of what it did for his career and production company.