3443. Blended (2014)

Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Bella Thorne

Director: Frank Coraci

Running Time: 117 mins

Blended is an American film about a man and a woman who share a disastrous first date, but unexpectedly reunite when they both end up on the same ‘dream’ holiday in Africa.

Reuniting ten years after what has proved to be both of their best outings in comedy, 50 First Dates, Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler gel really well once again here in Blended. Though lacking the same heartfelt drama, Blended is an enjoyably mellow comedy, with a predictable but undeniably sweet story at its core.

First things first, this film, much like 50 First Dates, once again showcases that Adam Sandler is actually a really likable lead when he tones down his comic performances. Playing a regular single dad who lives with three daughters, this is worlds away from the irritating likes of Jack And Jill, That’s My Boy and more.

Drew Barrymore, while she plays the more stuck-up role in her pairing with Sandler, is effortlessly lovable throughout, and in tandem with a collection of entertaining but not intrusive performances from the young actors portraying the pair’s children, Barrymore and Sandler make a couple that you really do want to get together.

In fact, the romance here works a little better than the comedy, and while neither is exactly stellar, it’s really enjoyable to watch Barrymore and Sandler grow close over the course of a chaotic holiday, of course with a series of ridiculous slapstick hijinks thrown in.

Though the film arguably runs a little long at nearly two hours, perhaps dragging a little too much with focus on secondary characters in the opening stages, I can’t deny that Blended is a thoroughly enjoyable watch throughout, and while it doesn’t do anything particularly exceptional with its screenplay, it does deliver genuinely likable comedy and romance from start to finish. So, that’s why I’m giving Blended a 7.2 overall.