Acting and Acting Styles
May 5, 2015
Film: Big Daddy
Director: Dennis Dugan
Released: 1999
Actors: Adam Sandler, Dylan Sprouse, Leslie Mann
Adam Sandler (Sonny)
I have watched several of Adam Sandler movies, but this particular movie gives me the the impression that Adam Sandler is both a stylized actor and shows realism in his acting in Big Daddy.
Stylized acting? Stylized acting is where the character makes sure the audience knows he is just acting. The character tends to exaggerate and puts extra emphasis in his or her acting.
- In parts of the movie Adam Sandler exaggerates his acting a bit. Take the picture above as an example. His facial expression in this photo even looks like he is emphasizing his acting. This is an example in the scene where Julian wants to watch the "Kangaroo Song" and throws a fit. Adam Sandler finally gives in screaming "ALRIGHT!" The McDonald's scene is the best example of Adam Sandler exaggerating and showing emphasis on his character. It is 11:00am and McDonald's stops serving breakfast earlier. Sandler yells at the cashier and then Julian starts crying, Sandler then screams "SOMEBODY GET THE KID A HAPPY MEAL!"
Realism? Realism is when an actor is considered all natural. The character doesn't act for extra attention. Our textbook describes realism as "the impression of genuine human action and reaction" (Goodykontz & Jacobs, 2014).
- Adam Sandler shows realism in Big Daddy because he is naturally a funny character. I remember laughing hysterically throughout this film. The jokes he make to Corine (Leslie Mann) is witty, but natural for Sandler. The overall funny parts of this movie is all part of who Adam Sandler truly is.
Dylan Sprouse (Julian)
Dylan Sprouse played Julian on Big Daddy. After reviewing the examples of each type of character, I have come to the conclusion that Julian (Dylan Sprouse) shows REALISM in his character.
Realism?
- Dylan Sprouse plays a sweet, innocent young boy in this film. His character is based on a child who is very shy and is brought to meet his father. Instead of meeting his biological father he meets Sonny which is his biological father's best friend. The child doesn't know at first that Sonny isn't his real father, but gets attached to him like he is. He is so young and naive that he is natural at his part. The photo above shows Julian laying in bed so peaceful staring up at Sonny. He naturally loves Sonny because Sonny took the time to love and care for him. They built a special bond together. The part in the film where Julian is taken away from Sonny just breaks my heart because you could see the hurt and scared feeling that Julian has as he gives Sonny one last hug. I feel this part is natural.
Leslie Mann (Corine)
Leslie Mann (Corine) plays a character that is made out to be sarcastic and exaggerated a bit. I would consider Leslie Mann a stylized actor.
Stylized?
- Her sarcastic attitude/personality in Big Daddy comes across emphasized. The attention is brought to Corine in all the scenes she's in because she is gorgeous. Corine is definitely the type of character in this movie where she draws attention to herself no matter the situation. In the pohto below she plans a big party for her boyfriend who is really Julian's father, but Sonny walks in first. Corine gets all upset "when they waste the surprise on Sonny." At that point her boyfriend walks in and she runs to the bathroom to cry because they wasted the surprise on Sonny. She then draws attention to herself because everyone goes running to her to make sure she is okay.
I am most familiar with the film's Adam Sandler has been in.Judging by the movies I have watched with Adam Sandler, and my careful review of each type of actor, I believe that Adam Sandler is consistently viewed as either a stylized actor or he shows realism in his characters. His character in all films are consistently comical and meaning to make people laugh. I can't think of one film he's in that he doesn't have a comical part in the film. What this says about his character is he's a people pleaser. He is always intending to cheer people up or be the clown of the bunch.
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