Since the days of Charlie Chaplin, cross-dressing has been mined for comedic value. With audiences amused by men dressed as women, many actors have donned frocks on film, from Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot to Guy Pearce, Hugo Weaving and Terence Stamp in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Dustin Hoffman (Tootsie) and Robin Williams (Mrs Doubtfire) have also thrown on gowns, as have Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane (Nuns on the Run) and the Wayans brothers (White Chicks). Following in the footsteps of Eddie Murphy (The Nutty Professor), Martin Lawrence (Big Mommas House) and his frequent co-star Rob Schneider (The Hot Chick), Adam Sandler finds his feminine side playing titular twins Jack and Jill.
Jack Sadelstein is a successful advertising executive, with a loving wife (Katie Holmes, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark) and two precocious kids (debutants Elodie Tougne and Rohan Chand). Jill is his needy spinster sister, making the trek from the Bronx to Los Angeles to spend time with Jack for Thanksgiving. Whilst Jill adores her brother, her affection is not reciprocated. Indeed, Jack can’t stand her company, trying everything he can to push her way. Jack’s professional dealings also prove problematic, with his biggest client demanding that Al Pacino stars in their new commercial. Faced with financial ruin unless he can snare the acclaimed actor, Jack is willing to do whatever it takes to secure his participation – including capitalising upon Pacino’s infatuation with his sister.
Early in the feature, incredulity is expressed at the idea of Pacino lowering his standards, with viewers of Jack and Jill likely to feel the same way. That the Oscar-winning thespian appears as a love interest for Sandler in drag simply defies belief, with a Razzie award the most likely outcome. Relying on the stereotypical style that has served him in recent subpar efforts (Righteous Kill and 88 Minutes included) he does little more than over-enunciate. However, his contribution is not all in vain, as it provides a distraction from the remaining chaos.
Pacino aside, the film is an ego-stroking exercise for Sandler, in his seventh collaboration with director Dennis Dugan (Just Go with It). Responsible for scripting (with Saturday Night Live alum Steve Koren) as well as starring in the two lead roles, his man-child antics permeate every aspect of the excruciating production. Although ardent fans of his one-note work may find humour in the repetitive unpleasantness, his frocked-up omnipresence – amidst an endless array of inexplicable celebrity cameos – is far from entertaining. Instead, it simply ensures that the torturous bore earns the status of worst yet for all involved, with the sexist, stupid and shudder-worthy Jack and Jill a complete cinematic disgrace.
Jack and Jill was released in Australia on December 1st.
Director: Dennis Dugan
Cast: Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino
