Rating: 5 out 5 Al Pacinos
What an honour it is to review Jack and Jill, the film that defined 2011 as one of the greatest years of cinema on record. This film defied expectations and revolutionised Adam Sandler’s career, finally showing him as the comic genius we all knew he could be.
The greatest thing about this masterpiece is surely the performance given by Al Pacino, who plays a caricature of himself who falls in love with Jill (Adam Sandler). Pacino’s chemistry with Sandler is off the charts, and his commitment to the role is unparalleled. It’s a joy to watch an actor who is clearly in the prime of his career, and it’s truly a shame that the Academy chose not to recognise him for the risks he takes in this role.
But the film is not just about Pacino. Adam Sandler masterfully shows his range by portraying both Jack and Jill. His characterisation of these two fundamentally different people is subtle but at the same time powerful. His understanding of the differences between man and woman allows him to offer a graceful portrayal of modern family dynamics. Does Jack honestly hate his sister? What even are Jill’s motivations? Why is there a bird? Do they like birds? Are birds funny? Sandler does not let us know, and that is where the genius of this film lies.
Gender is complicated, and Sandler uses this film to help us navigate the minefield of gender politics by clearly defining what it means to be male or female. Women are inherently loud and inappropriate, while men are always reasonable and usually right about everything. It’s something we all know, but only Sandler has been brave enough to truly represent this.
Thank you, Adam Sandler. Thank you.