JACK AND JILL - And All Came Tumbling Down

JACK AND JILL (comedy)
Cast: Adam Sandler, Al Pacino, Katie Holmes, Allen Covert, Dana Carvey, Natalie Gal, Tim Meadows, Katelyn Pacitto, Valerie Mahaffey and Regis Philbin
Director: Dennis Dugan
Screenplay: Steve Koren and Robert Smigel
Time: 91 mins
Rating: * (out of 4)

Katie Holmes and Adam Sandler

PREAMBLE: I wouldn't say that Jack And Jill is the worst movie of 2011, but I can safely attest that it is the worst Adam Sandler movie I have seen. Basically, this one-joke comedy is about watching Sandler in drag as Jill, a crude woman who is generally out of touch with the world. And the fun wears out after 10 minutes of seeing Sandler playing Jill.

It says a lot about a movie when Al Pacino, who plays himself in the film, is funnier than lead star Sandler.

Sandler, Holmes and Rohan Chand

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? Jack Sadelstein (Sandler) is a thriving advertising executive in Los Angeles with a beautiful wife (Katie Holmes) and kids (Elodie Tougne, Rohan Chand). Presently, Jack has two problems: His agency stands to lose a major client if he can't persuade Al Pacino to sign on as a Dunkin' Donuts spokesman; and his twin sister Jill is coming to spend Thanksgiving with him. A lonely spinster still living in the siblings' Bronx home, Jill has never heard of the Internet, has the manners of a sailor and a pet bird named Poopsie.

Now, would you believe that a guy like Pacino can be attracted to Jill?

Sandler and Al Pacino

HITS & MISSES: The one 'hit' in this screechy mess of a film is Pacino's cameo - including poking fun at his films like Dog Day Afternoon and The Godfather Part 2. It sets us wondering how much they are paying him to appear in this trash. The comedy seems forced and senseless - like Jill jet-skiing in the swimming pool and getting knocked unconscious on the set of "The Price Is Right." Indeed, Sandler makes no attempt to flesh out his role as Jill. He merely puts on a wig and dress and speaks in falsetto. The idea of Pacino wooing his Jill makes us cringe rather than burst out in mirth.

The other 'fun' stuff that director Dennis Dugan includes in the movie are blatant product placements, the poop, fart and sweat gags, and celebrity cameos (yes, there's an uncredited Johnny Depp among them).

THE LOWDOWN: For those who find idiocy funny.