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Grown Ups

ImmatureBy John DeSando, WCBE's "It's Movie Time," "Cinema Classics," and "On the Marquee"

Lenny Feder: Higgy!
Marcus Higgins: Hey, what's up, Lenny? Buddy, I thought you were gonna start working out.
Lenny Feder: What does that mean?
Marcus Higgins: Um... you're fat.
Lenny Feder: No!

In Grown Ups, Adam Sandler and comedians Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, and Rob Schneider play old school chums meeting at a resort to honor their deceased coach. The set up is contrived to let some well-known comedians say a few jokes, and weak dialogue is best exemplified by the above interchange?mind-numbing humor that barely makes sense.
If you organize a treasure hunt, you'll find a couple of puerile laughs coming out from under a hot rock. And some flatulence jokes as well, not to forget a grotesque bunion.

When James hurtles into a tree from a hanging rope and the audience roars at the pratfall, then you know you're in summer smiles, a comedy without heft except for James and Sandler, who have been to the honey wagon a few too many times.

It's harmless family summer fun with the laughs just a few more than say last year's Death at a Funeral, also starring the acting-challenged Rock. Perhaps seeing Schneider wear an ugly Elvis toupee can help you get over seeing Steve Buscemi act as absurdly as could be possible for a once-dignified actor.

Wait! Wait! Schneider sings the Ave Maria at the funeral?that may be the film's lowest point. Wait again. The recurring jokes about Schneider's elderly lover Gloria (Joyce Van Patten) are as ageist as any I have ever heard. The boys just don't let up.

It is certain that this vapid comedy is a more pleasant experience for those former SNL comedians than the audience that endures their sophomoric comedy.

Ah, summer. Are we to be saved by Tom Cruise, of all people?

John DeSando teaches film at Franklin University and co-hosts WCBE 90.5's It's Movie Time, Cinema Classics, and On the Marquee, which can be heard streaming at http://publicbroadcasting.net/wcbe/ppr/index.shtml and on demand at http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wcbe/arts.artsmain Contact him at JDeSando@Columbus.RR.com