By Sarah Weller
In Happy Madison’s first animated feature, Adam Sandler’s 8 Crazy Nights (as in the eight nights of the Jewish holiday of Chanukah), Adam Sandler plays Davey Stone, a 33-year-old loser who spends most of his time getting drunk and pissing off the townspeople of Dukesberry. A self-proclaimed “holiday hater,” Davey goes out of his way to make the lives of Dukesberry’s citizens a living hell. Finally, after one too many drunken run-ins with the law, Davey is arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison. It is through the good heart of an old basketball referee named Whitey that the judge decides to overturn his sentence, pending Davey’s good behavior and willingness to help Whitey referee youth basketball.
At first, Sandler’s character is rather unpleasant, and brutally (but hilariously at times) insulting to everyone, including Whitey himself. However, when Davey’s mobile home burns down, Whitey decides to take him in, even though he knows it will be an ordeal. There are plenty of amusing moments with Davey, Whitey, and Whitey’s bald and hideous wig-wearing sister Eleanor, including a musical number about the rules of living in their house, entitled “Technical Foul.” Things seem to be going well for them; that is, until Whitey touches on the all-too-sensitive subject of Davey’s parents, causing Davey to revert to his rude behavior and breaking Whitey’s heart.
Starting out as the antagonist in the film but ending on quite a different note, Davey realizes the origins of his behavior and comes to the tear-filled revelation that he needs to do something good for Whitey, who has been so helpful to him and to whom he has been very ungrateful. With the usual holiday spirit in mind, this movie has a happy ending that won’t disappoint the many Sandler fans around the world.
Like every genuine Adam Sandler production, 8 Crazy Nights is full of too many catchphrases to name and more unusual recurring themes, such as Whitey’s “seizures” and that pack of deer that always seems to be there, than you can shake a stick at. Much like a musical, this film contains several original numbers written by Sandler, who also does three of the voices in the film, including the updated third version of the “Chanukah Song,” something Sandler made famous years ago. Be sure to listen for the voices of the usual members of the Sandler movie family as well, including Rob Schneider and Kevin Nealon. A little slow-paced at first, but with plenty of laughs and gross-outs throughout, 8 Crazy Nights is the must-see holiday movie, regardless of your religious beliefs. Although some might find it unsuitable for young children, 8 Crazy Nights reminds its audience of the importance of the holidays to those who celebrate them, and surprisingly, also supports the notion that we should treat people fairly and kindly, regardless of how many joke-worthy traits a person may have.
Cardinal Grade: A-
