MR DEEDS

Starring: Adam Sandler, Winona Ryder, John Turturro, Peter Gallagher and Steve Buscemi
Director: Steve Brill
Running Time: 96 mins
Certificate: 12A

Available to buy on DVD 7th April

After the death of his estranged Uncle, small town pizza parlour owner Longfellow Deeds (Sandler) discovers he is the sole heir to a media empire worth $40 billion. Deeds is now the most talked about person in New York but no one knows anything about him. That is until investigative reporter Bebe Bennett (Ryder) goes undercover to get her story and all she needs to do is get Deeds' attention.

Remaking a Frank Capra movie is tantamount to sacrilege. Just because a movie is in black and white and features a star that no one under twenty would have heard of, it does not mean that you have to modernise an already classic movie. The Gary Cooper/Frank Capra collaboration is not a movie that needs an update, never mind one by Adam Sandler. What's next "It's a Wonderful Life?"

I can't say that I'm a big Adam Sandler fan. I think his humour is very basic and he hasn't really changed his character for any of his films. He is always a simple, overly aggressive man who needs to raise his voice to get his point across. He does however, usually surround himself with a good supporting cast and Mr Deeds is no exception. The smaller characters are the highlight of the film. Steve Buscemi's Crazy Eyes is exception funny and while Winona Ryder tries to, John Turturro steals the movie with his Spanish butler, Emilio. Ryder herself seems to be on autopilot and does look like she can cope in the comedy genre and is worst thing about the movie, even though she still looks great.

Mr Deeds is a movie that didn't need to be made. While it keeps most of Capra's theme of the love of life before money, Sandler's introduction of his basic comedy, while raising a few now and again, is no justification for the making of this movie.

Making of programme 'From Mandrake Falls To Manhattan', Outtakes, Dave Matthews Band 'Where Are You Going' music video, Outtakes, '8 Crazy Nights' and 'Anger Management' easter eggs (hidden features), Interactive menu & Scene access