Film Review: Mr. Deeds (2002)

Remaking a classic film is usually bad idea, especially when Hollywood does it. But, if the original is old enough, or has a feature that make it unwatchable for modern audience, like, for example, being shot in black-and-white, remaking might look justified. This was probably the reasoning behind Mr. Deeds, 2002 comedy directed by Steven Brill and based on Frank Capra’s classic 1936 populist comedy Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.

Plot begins when media tycoon Preston Blake (played by Harve Presnell) freezes to death while attempting to climb on top of Mount Everest. That raises the question of what would happen to his business empire that is worth around 40 billion US$. Answer might come in the form of Longfellow Deeds (played by Adam Sandler), owner of pizzeria in small town of Mandrake Falls. It turns out that Deeds is Blake’s sole inheritor. Chuck Cedar (played by Peter Gallagher), CEO of Blake’s company, reacts to the news by bringing Deeds to New York City and trying to talk him into selling his stocks. Deeds’ arrival causes media circus, but nobody can get as close to Deeds as Babe Barnett (played by Winon Ryder), Machiavellian reporter of tabloid TV show. She wins Deeds’ trust by pretending to be naive provincial girl. As Deeds begins to get used to new wealth, she gradually realises that she has fallen in love with him.

Premise of Mr. Deeds Goes to Town was based on the class divide in American society, which became very apparent during Great Depression. New version was, however, made at the start of 21st Century, when general situation wasn’t looking that desperate for majority of Americans. Script by Tim Herlihy all but completely ignored social issues and opted for more generic type of comedy. Things weren’t helped by uninspired direction by Steve Brill. Even Adam Sandler, who could actually function well in “gross out” comedies, seems lost in a film that is supposed to pay homage to Hollywood classic. Quality of humour, apart from few lucid moments, is abysmally bad and same can be said of cast. Even such formidable character actor like Steve Buscemi leaves worse impression than celebrity amateurs like John McEnroe and Reverend Al Sharpton in cameo roles where they play themselves. Mr. Deeds represents one of the worse films in Sandler’s career and was greeted poorly by reviews, although, just like with many similar cases, audience proved to be more understanding and turned this film into commercial success.

RATING: 2/10 (-)

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