Kenny (Adam Sandler) is a financially-struggling dad who’ll stop at nothing to throw his daughter the best wedding he possibly can, refusing the help offered by his soon-to-be son in law’s wealthy father, Kirby (Chris Rock). In the week leading up to the big day, disasters and and floods of relatives mess up Kenny’s plans. From floods at the hotel Kenny’s booked for the wedding to an emergency trip for an ailing, legless ancient relative, everything seems to stand in the way of Kenny’s best efforts to throw his daughter a perfect wedding. Kenny and Kirby, two very different dads, clash often over their ways of thinking. Kirby, a surgeon used to being able to solve anything by throwing money at it, views the disasters leading up to the wedding in complete bafflement. But he eventually comes to realize, after encountering Kenny’s fierce devotion to his family, that being able to provide his family with any material want isn’t everything there is when it comes to fatherhood.
CRITICAL REVIEW
The Week Of is a mediocre movie at best, especially when compared to Sandler’s much funnier, superior works from the past (Wedding Singer, Happy Gilmore, 50 First Dates). Of course, it has its stupid funny moments, but they're fewer and farther between than one would expect from a film helmed by Sandler and Chris Rock. Overall, the film just feels … lazy. And both starring comedians come off as unenthusiastic and restrained, especially Rock. Consequently, it’s a bit forgettable (I had trouble writing the summary just a couple days after streaming it). At the same time, if you’re an Adam Sandler devotee, you probably don’t want to miss this one. A few trademarks of Sandler’s classics are present, including ridiculous, cringy comedic moments, a side character played by Steve Buscemi and a mildly sweet message peeking through all the slapstick. Rock’s character goes through some significant character development, albeit late in the playtime, and Kenny’s relationship with his daughter is sweet and heartfelt. It’s refreshing to see Sandler in a pure father role rather than a romantic comedy one. Although, his strained, loudly bickering relationship with his wife, played by Rachel Dratch, is funny at first, but as the film goes on and nothing is resolved there isn’t anything funny about it. It just ends up painful and sad to watch.
WHAT MORMONS/PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
The Week Of isn’t a mild TV-14. There’s heavy, frequent language throughout the movie. There aren’t any blatant sex scenes, but as usual with Sandler’s films, it’s raunchy. There’s a lot of jokes and innuendo revolving around sex, especially about boobs, and there are scenes of typical TV bachelor and bachelorette parties, complete with strippers and specially-shaped party goods. One character recounts a story of self-gratification.
Apart from the mature content, the movie does end on a happy note with a positive message about family: how parents should be there for their kids and show them love and compassion.