Mr. Deeds

Directed by Steven Brill, Mr. Deeds follows Adam Sandler’s Longfellow Deeds as he attempts to adjust to a new way of life after inheriting $40 billion from a wealthy uncle (Harve Presnell’s Preston Blake). Filmmaker Brill, armed with Tim Herlihy’s screenplay, delivers a typically hit-and-miss Sandler vehicle that benefits substantially from its star’s affable efforts, as Sandler’s typically easygoing turn goes a long way towards smoothing over the narrative’s far-from-seamless atmosphere – with the amiable vibe perpetuated by an agreeably eclectic supporting cast that includes Winona Ryder, Jared Harris, Peter Gallagher, and Steve Buscemi. (It’s clear, ultimately, that John Turturro’s thoroughly entertaining work as Deeds’ oddball butler remains a continuing highlight within the proceedings.) And while the picture boasts plenty of memorable sequences and laugh-out-loud funny digressions, including (and especially) the confrontation between an arrogant arrogant football player (Brandon Molale’s Kevin) and his father (Blake Clark’s Buddy), Mr. Deeds builds towards a fairly (and distressingly) ineffective final half hour that emphasizes tedious sentiment over comedic elements – which, despite the presence of a satisfying, feel-good conclusion, finally confirms the movie’s place as a decent-enough endeavor that probably could (and should) have been better.

**1/2 out of ****