Review of Bedtime Stories (2008) by Dave C — 04 Mar 2011

I think one needs to see this film from the perspective of its intended audience. Much of the response unfortunately weighs this on the personal expectation of Sandler's particular brand of comedy. This is not intended to be Waterboy or the Wedding Singer, and there are some subtle qualities here to seeing Sandler in a bit of restraint and forced to submit to the nature of a children's film. We get some moments where he is genuinely funny, but for the most part he plays the role fittingly. And that is not always an easy feat for actors used to playing a certain role.

This won't be a classic by any stretch, but I do think its genuine. And the premise is actually fairly creative even if it could have been executed better. One area in particular that could have been explored and utilized is the whole subject of innocence. This is perhaps the heart of the film and its theme. Sandler's character at one point laments to his niece and nephew that happy endings don't happen in real life, and that the earlier they discover that reality sucks the better. But the kids aren't quite ready to give up their innocence and every night when they gather together to tell a bedtime story we see the back and forth tension of seeing these two worlds collide. And as the film moves along we see Sandler's own perspective being stretched as the kids perspective of the world begins to intertwine with his own (quite literally as the stories they create together begin to take on a life of their own). And what ties this all together is the relationship between Sandler and his own father who used to make up stories for him as a kid.

It all seems to work. And if it all isn't completely memorable it at least is a somewhat enjoyable ride.