Yes, this film was controversial and is considered as Adam Sandler’s most offensive film yet. But for those who are used to Happy Madison/Adam Sandler films, you know what kind of film you’re going to get. And if you love moronic comedy and wanting to see how far Adam Sandler can push the button, let alone a film featuring so many guest cameos, “That’s My Boy” may be a comedy film that will interest you!
TITLE: That’s My Boy
FILM RELEASE: 2012
DURATION: 116 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (widescreen 2:40:1), English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English Audio Description Track, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish
COMPANY: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
RATED: R (Cruel Sexual Content Throughout, Nudity, Pervasiv Language and Some Drug Use)
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Directed by Sean Anders
Written by David Caspe
Produced by Allen Covert, Jack Giarraputo, Heather Parry, Adam Sandler
Executive Producer: Barry Bernardi, John Morris
Co-Producer: Kevin Grady
Music by Rupert Gregson-Wiliams
Cinematography by Brandon Trost
Edited by Tom Costain
Casting by Rachel Tenner
Production Design by Aaron Osborne
Set Decoration by Jennifer M. Gentile
Starring:
Adam Sandler as Donny
Andy Samberg as Todd/Han Solo
Leighton Meester as Jamie
Vanilla Ice as Himself
James Caan as Father McNally
Milo Ventimiglia as Chad
Blake Clark as Gerald
Meagen Fay as Helen
Tony Orlando as Steve Spirou
Will Forte as Phil
Rachel Dratch as Phil’s Wife
Nick Swardson as Kenny
Peggy Stewart as Grandma Delores
Luenell as Champale
Ciara as Brie
Ana Gasteyer as Mrs. Ravensdale
Eva Amurri Martino as Mary McGarricle
Justin Weaver as Young Donny
Susan Sarandon as Mary McGarricle (Present)
Todd Bridges as himself
Dan Patrick as Randall Morgan
Rex Ryan as Jim Nance
Erin Andrews as Randall Morgan’s Receptionist
Colin Quinn as Strip Club DJ
Alan Thicke as TV Version of Donny’s Dad
Ian Ziering as TV Version of Donny
Rao Rampilla as Convenience Store Owner
Patty Ross as Judge
Abdoulaye NGom as Father Shakalu
While still in his teens, Donny (Adam Sandler) fathered a son, Todd (Andy Samberg), and raised him as a single parent until Todd’s 18th birthday. Now, after not seeing each other for years, Todd’s world comes crashing down on the eve of his wedding when an uninvited Donny suddenly shows up. Trying desperately to reconnect with his son, Donny is now forced to deal with the repercussions of his bad parenting skills. Co-starring Leighton Meester and featuring incredible cameos from a cavalcade of stars including Susan Sarandon, Vanilla Ice and James Caan.
Happy Madison Films is back with a new outrageous, moronically funny film titled “That’s My Boy”. Directed by writer/filmmaker Sean Anders (“Hot Tub Time Machine”, “She’s Out of My League”, “Sex Drive”) and written by David Caspe (“Happy Endings”).
Starring Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg with many guest appearances from popular TV and music stars (from the ’80s to present time) and well-known sports figures, “That’s My Boy” would receive the reputation of being his most offensive film (and some critics will call it his worst) to date.
The film begins with a young 14-year-old teen named Donny Berger (portrayed by Justin Weaver) who has sworn off girls and has only eyes for his 22-year-old teacher Mary McGarricle (portrayed by Eva Amurri Martino, daughter of Susan Sarandon).
Donny tries to attract his teacher with Van Halen tickets but disgusted that her student would hit on her, she gives him detention. While in detention, Ms. McGarricle confesses to Donny that she has the hots for him and she takes him to her office and has sex with him.
The student and teacher then continue to have a sexual relationship and during graduation, the two are having sex again, in which everyone can hear them. When the curtains are opened, to the adult teachers, they are shocked to find Ms. McGarricle having improper relations with her student, while the students give Donny a standing ovation.
Ms. McGarricle is charged with statutory rape and is pregnant with Donny’s child. Because she has no remorse of what she had done, she is sentence to 30-years in prison.  Donny has been given custody of the child after its birth and raise his son on his own.
And life for Donny throughout the ’80s and ’90s has earned him amazing fame as the teen who had sex with his teacher. Making him a wealthy man but also a bad father.
Fastfoward to the present and we learn that Donny has wasted all his money and to make things worse, he has not paid any taxes to the IRS and must come up with over $40,000 or else he will be serving time in prison. So, immediately, Donny must find a way to get that money.
His manager Jim Nance (portrayed by NY Jets Coach Rex Ryan) tells him to contact his son. But Donny said he has not heard from his overweight son Han Solo for years.
Meanwhile, we see Han Solo (portrayed by Andy Samberg), who has now gone by the name of Todd, not overweight and doing quite well financially. He is engaged to a woman named Jamie (portrayed by Leighton Meester) and both are busy planning for their upcoming wedding.
While visiting his favorite strip club and telling his woes to stripper Champale (portrayed by Luenell). Her daughter Brie (portrayed by Ciara) brings a publication that shows Todd and Jamie getting married and now Donny has come up with an idea.
Donny goes to producer Randall Morgan (portrayed by Dan Patrick) with a show angle of what if he can reunite himself , his son and his mother Mary (present version portrayed by Susan Sarandon) for an upcoming reality special. And if he does, he’ll receive the money to prevent him from going to prison.
At the wedding site, Todd meets his future in-laws Gerald (portrayed by Blake Clark) and Helen (portrayed by Meagen Fay), grandma Delores (portrayed by Peggy Stewart), the soldier and Jamie’s overprotective brother Chad (portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia). But also hoping that he gets promoted for a significant job owned by Steve Spirou (portrayed by Tony Orlando).
As everyone is getting prepared and discussing the wedding, Donny shows up to meet with his son but shocked that his father would make an appearance, Donny concocts a scheme that he is Todd’s best friend because he saved his life (as Todd nearly died trying to pick up a burrito he dropped near an incoming train).
As the family welcomes Donny’s presence for the wedding, Jamie is shocked that Todd would know someone who looks like someone from the trailer park.
When Donny and his son have alone time, we learn that Donny was not a good father for his son. Giving him ice cream and candy, it led to his son being overweight and always making fun of his son, to the point that he permanently had a “New Kids on the Block” tattoo done on his son’s back.
While Donny does not welcome his father being there, Donny who was there trying to find a way to get money, starts to find himself wanting to bond with his son and actually show that he cares for him.
VIDEO:
“That’s My Boy” is presented in 1080p High Definition (2:40:1 aspect ratio). Colors are vibrant, especially the outdoor scenes. Good amount of detail, skin tones are natural, black levels are nice and deep and notice no problems whatsoever with overall picture quality. No banding, major DNR issues or artifacts. The film looks fantastic on Blu-ray!
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“That’s My Boy” is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English -Audio Description Track and French 5.1 Dolby Digital. While the film is primarily dialogue driven, there are scenes with ambiance such as the crowds at the strip club or at the setting up of the wedding. There is a lot of ’80s music featured throughout the film and for the most part, dialogue and music are crystal clear.
Subtitles are in English, English SDH, French and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES
“That’s My Boy” comes with the following special features:
- Gag Reel – (6:07) Outtakes from “That’s My Boy”
- Deleted Scenes – (13:55) A total of five deleted scenes: School, Hot Tub – Director’s Cut, The Donny Berger Story, Money Trouble, Fun in the Tub
- Who Are All These People? – Showcasing all the talents who appeared in “That’s my Boy” including guest cameos.
- Greetings from Cape Code – (6:47) Cast and crew saying “Whazzap”
- Classy Rick’s Bacon and Legs – (5:49) A featurette about filming inside an actual strip club.
EXTRAS:
“That’s My Boy” comes with an UltraViolet redemption code, which allows you to watch the movie on your computer and select Apple and Android devices.
When it comes to Happy Madison films, especially ones to star Adam Sandler, you tend to expect to see ridiculous and moronic comedy.   And most of the time, critics despise the films but yet, the films attract an audience who wants to see outrageous comedy and to see how far Adam Sandler will go.
“That’s My Boy” is a film in which Adam Sandler takes things very far, to the point he knows that the film will offend people, but also tries to showcase a lot of talent via guest cameos.
If you are a viewer who is easily offended, this film is not for you. The film tries to use a comedic portrayal of pedophilia, incest and statutory rape and many people are not going to be thrilled with what they see in this film. While those who are used to moronic comedy and enjoy how outrageous these films will go, will find it hilarious (or just plain out dumb).
For example, as a viewer, there are scenes to show that Donny is a man that is well-endowed and we see that he is often needing to relieve himself by masturbation or having sex with someone. So, in one scene, he uses an old photo of Jamie’s grandmother. The following morning, the grandmother sees sticky tissues all over the place and his son tries to clean up the mess while the tissues are all stuck to his hand.
Another example is Donny doing the popular Budweiser catchphrase from the ’90s “Whazzap” and everyone hoping it would be used again, start repeating it.
Or the guest appearances of Vanilla Ice, a person like Donny who splurged all his money during his fame and is now upset with Donny for having sex with his mother. Or Todd Bridges, a former drug addict who has white powder on his nose constantly. And possibly the most visible scene features actress Luenell as a stripper with her boobs hanging out with pasties and dancing on a poll.
There are a lot of those “I can’t believe they are doing this!” type of moments throughout the film and many thrown in for comedic shock factor. As well as a film that showcases a good number of celebrity cameos to make it a bit more entertaining.
“That’s My Boy” is nowhere close to being one of the better Happy Madison, let alone Adam Sandler films out there. It’s moronically funny and entertaining in a Happy Madison sense but other than that. People used to this humor will have no problem being entertained but those who know they will be offended, should stay away from this film.
I’m not quick to pan Happy Madison films. They have their niche audience and fans know that they can get something crazy or something so moronic, that they enjoy these films. And the fact that I review them often and defend them, goes to show that even I have a soft spot in my heart for moronic, juvenile humor and I’m not easily offended by these comedy films.
Yes, this film was controversial and is considered as Adam Sandler’s most offensive film yet. But for those who are used to Happy Madison/Adam Sandler films, you know what kind of film you’re going to get. And if you love moronic comedy and wanting to see how far Adam Sandler can push the button, let alone a film featuring so many guest cameos, “That’s My Boy” may be a comedy film that will interest you!
