Bedtimes Stories - it's strange but kinda fun

Dec 16 2008 Pierce Hunt, Surrey Herald

Adam Sandler has carved out a career in Hollywood as the loveable underdog, and there's no sign of that formula changing - apart from toning down the potty mouth - as he plays Skeeter Bronson, the downtrodden handyman to hotel owner Barry Nottingham (Richard Griffiths).

Having seen his father left with no choice but to sell his beloved hotel to Nottingham, Skeeter was devastated to see the business go, but was reassured he would one day manage the hotel. Now, thirty or so years on, Skeeter's prospect of taking over is dealt a massive blow when his smarmy rival Kendall (Guy Pearce) is given the position of manager.

Growing increasing angry with his working environment, Skeeter's patience is tried when his sister Wendy (Courtney Cox) has to go out of town for a week and dumps her two children on him. Feeling a little put out after nearly four years of little contact from Wendy, Skeeter agrees to share the responsibilities of looking after the

kids with Wendy's teacher friend Jill (Kerry Russell). The two don't quite see eye-to-eye, but both want what's best for Patrick (Jonathan Morgan Heit) and Bobbi (Laura Ann Kesling) so get along as best they can.

As Skeeter reconnects with his niece and nephew through telling bedtime stories, similar to those told him by his own father, the three of them begin creating bizarre tales involving an endless array of nonsensical narrative tangents, which although on the surface appear peculiar, always manage to raise the roof with laughter and, amazingly, begin to unfold in the real world.

With familiar faces from previous Happy Madison films such as The Waterboy, 50 First Dates and Little Nicky, the gags continue to roll off the tongue of Rob Schneider and co.

Russell Brand's character Mickey seems a little out of place as the hotel busboy who suffers from night terrors - random and really not that funny. But Bedtime Stories manages to capture the magic of childhood imagination and bring the reality of each story to life.

Sandler turns out another great performance, even if he fails to step out of his comfort zone. The best film to be released on Boxing Day by a country mile.

7/10