'Anger Management' on DVD
Sept. 16 -- Now in stores: Anger Management, Confidence, Return of the Secaucus 7.
Anger Management
Everybody wants a piece of Jack Nicholson — the bat-wielding Roger Clemens, basketball bad boy Bobby Knight, and the scourge of Wimbledon, John McEnroe.
These kings of public temper-tantrums all pop up in the Nicholson-Adam Sandler romp, Anger Management. Deleted scenes from the DVD show McEnroe and Nicholson in a screaming match, shortly before the tennis star curls into a fetal position with a teddy bear.
"There's the legend," says Sandler on the star's commentary, gushing over Nicholson's world-famous eyebrows. Those eyebrows and the screen legend's presence undoubtedly inspired amazing cameos, including Woody Harrelson in drag, John C. Reilly as a punch-drunk monk and Heather Graham as a violent chocoholic.
Indeed, it's intriguing to think of the nut from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as a deranged shrink who tries to adjust Sandler's attitude by moving into his home, sharing his bed, and forcing him on command to sing "I Feel Pretty."
In the DVD's extras, you even get Dr. Jack's "Skull Session" and self-help quiz, with questions like this one: If your lover breaks the "Threesome Code of Ethics," what would you do? Staple his/her lips shut?
The more pertinent question might be, "What sort of tantrum would you fly into on seeing Nicholson in a less-than-stellar performance?" Blame Sandler and vow never again to listen to "The Hanukkah Song"?
My answer: Console yourself that a slice of mild Jack is better is better than no Jack at all.
Having Nicholson and Sandler on the same set might have worked out better on paper than on film. The "Gag Reel" features Nicholson cracking everyone up with an unscripted gastric accident. Oh, the things you can do when you're a star.
Director Peter Segal shares the commentary track with Sandler, and declares calls the comic's role a complete departure from anything he's ever done. Sandler isn't so sure. "He's a cousin of everyone I've ever played," says the comic of his hapless character. Perhaps he's now Unhappy Gilmore.
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