The architects: Sandler, Spade, Schneider and Covert (Grandma’s Boy) have churned out pure butter, or more to the point pure gold with this movie. This is a risky role for Sandler who rarely acts in films and sends out surrogates more often. The Happy Gilmore Productions crew is growing and thankfully, the signings of John Turturro and Steve Zahn have brought an awful lot of talent to the fold.

       Onward to the film itself. The movie is open to the criticism that it appeals only to a Jewish audience. However, one of Sandler’s stated goals is to make Jewish culture more mainstream and to make it seem appealing rather than foreign. Sandler is by his own admission one of the few Jewish actors willing to reveal his cultural heritage and to make fun of both himself and his Semitic background. This is more hilarious than offensive, and more effective than detrimental.

       Serving initially as an Israeli counter-terrorist commando, Sandler decides to pursue a career that haunts all of us, (just kidding) being a hair dresser. His goal is to make every woman’s hair (from ages 18-99) silky smooth. With a Ben Stiller esque enlarged penis, he succeeds at this and much more. Some portions of the sexuality on screen are vulgar and I am coining a new word, Vomitalicious! Rob Schneider and John Turturro play the Palestinian terrorists living and working directly across the street from Sandler’s Israeli friends. This leads to hostility, Middle Eastern jokes and seeks to parody the real life struggle between the two parties. If only the people would take their rage and hostility less seriously perhaps the world would be a better place. Having taught as a professor for four and a half years, this analysis seems shallow but contains some truth.

       What unfolds is a film that takes comedic risks, makes audiences laugh, cringe, cover their eyes, and pee their pants (unless they make it to the bathroom first). This is a terrific date movie but may lead to a great deal of awkwardness if one ventures to see it with a guy friend or a gal friend. Remember, what is offensive to some is downright laugh out loud (lol) to pop culturites.