Review of The Cobbler (2014) by Andrei P — 18 Jan 2016

Review:

This movie had a great concept but the execution was poor. Adam Sandler wasn't the perfect choice for the lead because he seemed extremely moody through the whole movie, even though he had a unique super power. The storyline was also a bit messy and the ending should have come in the middle of the film, to make it more interesting but I think that the director had a sequel in mind. Anyway, Adam Sandler plays Max Simkin, who inherits his father's cobbler shop, which he doesn't particularly enjoy running, and his good friend Jimmy (Steve Buscemi), runs the barber shop next door. He gets a visit from a community worker, Carmen (Melonie Diaz) whose trying to prevent developers from tearing down the neighbourhood to build huge complex buildings but Max is more interested in getting a big sum for his shop. Max lives with his mother, who desperately wants her son to meet a woman. The neighbourhood thug, Leon Ludlow (Method Man) goes to his shop to get the sole of his shoes changed. Leon demands that the shoes are finished later on that day, so Max tries his best to get them done on time but his stitching machine breaks down. He then goes in his basement to use the machine that was left by his ancestors, which works perfectly and out of curiosity, he tries on Leon's shoes because he is the same size, 10 1/2. He then realises that he has actually changed into Leon, so he tries more shoes and he's amazed that he can change into the people who own them. With his new found ability, he goes to Chinatown as a Chinese man and enjoys the day and then he changes into an suave Englishman, Emilliano (Dan Stevens) and picks up a girl in a bar. The woman isn't impressed that he is living with his mother, so he goes to Emilliano's house and his girlfriend, Taryn (Kim Cloutier) invites him in the shower with her but he realises that he would have to take off his shoes, which will show his true identity, so he leaves the house, abruptly. He then gets his hands on his dads old shoes, so he has a meal with his mum, as his father Abraham (Dustin Hoffman) but she sadly dies in the morning. After the funeral, Max returns to work and he gets a visit from Leon, who demands his shoes to be ready for later. Max then follows Leon, whilst changing into different shoes so his cover isn't blown, and when he gets to his apartment, he changes into Leon's shoes and he finds out that Leon has been abusing his girlfriend. To teach him a lesson, Max goes to steal Leon's expensive watched but he finds a case of artillery along with a taser gun. When the real Leon returns to his apartment, he's amazed to find Max, who looks like him and he starts to choke him but Max uses the taser gun on him. On his departure, Max/Leon bumps into his henchmen and they take him to an area were they are holding a man hostage, who has stolen from him. Max/Leon, let's the thug go and he is taken to see a crime boss, Elaine (Ellen Barkin) who gives him a large amount of money to buy out a man from his building. Max then goes back to Leon's house as a cross dressing woman and Leon attacks him again until Max removes his shoe to reveal his true identity. Leon pursues in trying to kill Max but he uses one of the stilettos to strike him in his neck and kill him. The following day, Max turns himself into the police and when he takes them to the crime scene, he is shocked to see that there is no body and the no blood. When Max returns to the shop, Jimmy confronts him about his weird behaviour and he tells him that his father had to disappear to protect the family. Max then tells Carmen about Elaine, who tried to buy out one of the tenants in an apartment building, so she sets her up by secretly filming her while she is threatening the tenant, which leads to her arrest. Carmen then invites him out to dinner and he returns Leon expensive watches to his girlfriend. Max/Leon is then captured by the thugs that his henchmen beat up earlier but the car ends up in a car crash and Max wakes up in front of Jimmy, who actually turns out to be his dad in disguise. Jimmy/Abraham, then shows him his collection of shoes and then they ride of in his limo, explaining the history of the machine. Quite a detailed storyline with many different elements but it seemed far fetched and a bit over the top at times. You don't know what is going to happen from one scene to the next and the ending brought a good twist to the whole plot but the critics hated it and the box office takings were appalling. I personally didn't think that it was that bad but the script could have done with a rewrite. Average!

Round-Up:

This movie was directed by Tom McCarthy, 49, who brought you the Station Agent, The Visitor, Win Win and Spotlight, which is due to come out this year. He's starred in over 30 movies, which include Conspiracy Theory, Meet the Parents I & II, Syriana, Good Night, and Good Luck, the Lovely Bones and Fair Game. I did find the movie quite entertaining but the storyline got a bit silly after a while. I was quite impressed with Method Man's acting and Dustin Hoffman and Steve Buscemi were great but Sandler should have played the role with more wit.

Budget: $10million.

Worldwide Gross: $24,000.

I recommend this movie to people who are into their fantasy/drama/comedies starring Adam Sandler, Steve Buscemi, Dustin Hoffman, Method Man, Ellen Barkin, and Melonie Diaz. 4/10.