Sandy Wexler Netflix Movie Review

Sandy Wexler (2017)

Written by: Dan Bulla, Tim Herlihy, Paul Sado, Adam Sandler (written by)
Directed by: Steven Brill
Starring:  Adam Sandler, Jennifer Hudson, Jane Seymour, Kevin James, Jackie Sandler
Rated: TV-14

Plot
Part of Sandler's four movie deal with Netflix, Adam Sandler plays inept small-time talent manager Sandy Wexler who falls for his latest client, Courtney Clark (Jennifer Hudson).

Verdict
Was this movie a way for Sandler to include his friends and pop culture stars that were popular in the nineties in his latest project? It certainly seems like it, because the idea isn't developed much farther than that.
The idea of a technologically challenged, Hollywood scam artist talent agent isn't bad. This movie just doesn't develop it at all. The concept is much better than the product.
It depends.

Review
This is based on real life talent manager Sandy Wernick. Whether he's as inept and annoying as Sandler portrays him, I doubt it.
I couldn't figure out why this was set in the '90s, other than the call back jokes and that's pretty much it. While the story provides a reason for the setting, it's a less than deft explanation and probably was included after the setting was decided.

Chris Rock, Dana Carvey, David Spade.

This includes Arsenio Hall, Weird Al, numerous comics, and of course there are many call back jokes. Most of them are obvious, like Blockbuster and a few jokes about O.J. Simpson. The punch lines are weak, many relying solely on the idea of 'who could have seen coming.'
The funniest part involves the reveal of Jane Seymour's character's husband. She's playing a sex-crazed older woman, similar to her role in Wedding Crashers (2005).

I guess wanting an Adam Sandler movie to explore and develop a character is asking too much. Sandy constantly lies or embellishes. This could have been a way to delve into the character, but it's just punch line fodder. I get why he embellishes. He's fallen far short of the his Hollywood dream, but we're only left to speculate.

The movie is framed by an apparent gala where many of the '90s stars are gathered. They talk about Sandy and what he did. What this even actually is, won't be revealed until the end.

Courtney is the first client Sandy has had that possesses actual talent. His other clients include Kevin James playing a ventriloquist, twins, and an Evil Knievel want-to-be. She rockets to stardom and soon leaves him behind. Of course they meet again as he pines over the only talented person he might know. The movie tries to escalate it to romantic. I guess I'll buy that.

I have to wonder if this 'script' was a few notes written on a napkin. The potential is squandered, and Sandler doesn't seem like he even wants to be in the movie. It's my favorite of the Sandler-Netflix films, though that isn't saying much.