Blended (2014)

Summary: Jim, a widower who works in a Sports goods store has a blind date with Lauren, a soon to be divorced mother of two, in Hooters. It is not a success and they resolve never to see each other again, but are thrown together in a pharmacy as each is trying to buy a product for their offspring, and needs help from the other. Lauren’s partner in business has refused to go on holiday with her boyfriend because he has five daughters, which allows Lauren and Jim to replace them, Lauren with her two sons, Jim with his three daughters, the oldest now fifteen. They are forced to inhabit a luxury suite together which they had not anticipated and although they continue to be at odds, the boys bond with Jim and the girls with Lauren as they all enjoy the luxury South African environment.

Content: This is a pretty wholesome outing so no nudity or sex, unless you count two rhinos doing it. There is a bit of drinking. Once the plot has contrived to get Lauren and Jim to South Africa the two continue not to get on, while around them there are lots of lovers. However they soon begin to enjoy the facilities provided at the resort, apparently “Sun City”. The children are cute and Lauren helps Jim’s fifteen year old daughter to be more sexy so she can impress a boy at their table. But they get over it and Jim continues to help the boys and Lauren the girls, and inevitably they begin to see the charm in each other.

A View: this film did not make quite as much money as previous Adam Sandler outings and  both he and Drew Barrymore were nominated in the Razzies, but did not win. The Sun City resort, a real place, is mind bogglingly awful, with its combination of kitch entertainment and wildlife viewing, unintentionally entertaining. It appears that Adam Sandler can get the best out of the child actors he works with, but none of this makes the film other than soporific. It is not offensive so you could have it on while your granny does her knitting.

I find that I have reviewed 64 romantic comedies on this site but only a few of them have really hit the spot. Three of these are: There’s Something About Mary, The Rewrite and the wonderful What’s Up Doc .