Click

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Life's too short

At this stage it's safe to say that Adam Sandler won't be gaining any new legions of adult fans. You either love his comedy or his voice and humour makes you long for the sound of fingernails going down a blackboard.

Having shown his range in 2002's 'Punch Drunk Love', Sandler has since wasted his time on a series of wholly unremarkable comedies. Now comes 'Click', a film that conforms to the Sandler template for a large part of its running time - only to then become a different film entirely.

Young architect Michael Newman (Sandler) is fighting a losing battle against time poverty. Hassled by his boss (Hasselhoff) and desperate to make a name for himself, Michael is spending less and less time with his wife Donna (Beckinsale) and their two children. But a visit to a household goods store late one night to buy a universal remote control leads Michael to the perfect solution to all his woes.

Straying off the fluorescent aisles he comes to a back room in the store where Morty (Walken) offers him what seems to be a standard remote control. But when Michael gets home he discovers that his new gadget can rewind, pause and fast forward his life.

For over an hour 'Click' does everything you'd expect of a Sandler movie - a couple of funny moments, lots of throwaway gags and plenty of shouting - and looks like one of those comedies that would convince boys under 14 that it is the greatest film ever made. But then something very, very odd happens.

The plot spins 360 and 'Click' becomes one of the most depressing experiences of the year. As Sandler's character discovers the price of having the remote control, one misery follows another until you're left wondering if two films have been glued together. It's a shock to the system, but it could've been far more effective.

Sandler has now worked with Coraci on three films and their relationship has all the feelings of a comfort zone. 'Click' loses power at the crucial stage because the script isn't strong enough, there are too many dull scenes and the end is completely rushed. It's a Sandler vehicle that splutters when it could've roared.

The message is that life's too short and you should savour every minute; with that in mind, there are a thousand better ways to spend your time than this.

Harry Guerin