Movie Review: Just Go With It (2011)

Genre: Comedy  

Director: Dennis Dugan  

Starring: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Nick Swardson, Brooklyn Decker  

Running Time: 117 minutes  

Synopsis: Plastic surgeon Danny (Adam Sandler) has never been married, but always pretends to be stuck in a bad marriage to enjoy commitment-free flings. When he meets and falls in love with school teacher Palmer (Brooklyn Decker), Danny recruits his office manager Katherine (Jennifer Aniston) as his pretend soon-to-be-ex-wife.  A series of deceptions ensue, resulting in Danny, Palmer, Katherine, her two kids, and Danny's cousin Eddie (Nick Swardson) heading to a Hawai'i vacation. The appearance of Katherine's frenemy Devlin (Nicole Kidman) at the vacation resort adds further complications.

What Works Well: This is a surprisingly sharp and often quite funny comedy with a dash of romance. The script (by Allan Loeb and Timothy Dowling) is packed with laugh-ready characters, including Katherine's quirky kids, the easy-to-mock Devlin, and the out-there Eddie. Highlights drop in from all directions, including an assortment of plastic surgery mishaps, a hula dancing face-off, a coconut competition, and a sheep in distress. Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler share an easy chemistry and roll with plenty of improvised dialogue, while director Dennis Dugan provides bright and cheerful surroundings.

What Does Not Work As Well: Of course Danny's entire predicament would have been resolved with an early commitment to the truth, and for a flighty comedy, the running time could have used a trim. Nick Swardson as cousin Eddie occasionally threatens to exceed his good-in-small-doses limits.

Key Quote:

Palmer (upon finding a wedding ring in Danny's bag): What's this?

Danny: A circle?

All Ace Black Movie Blog reviews are here.