Anger Management (2003) User Reviews

Jack definitely takes over Sandler, Anger Management is good for a few laughs

[Smells_Like_Cheese · 7/10 · 23 November 2003]

I saw this movie in the theater with my father and I have to say even though Sandler can annoy me most of the time, this is one of his better comedies. I think he owes that to Jack Nicholson's performance, since Jack can carry a film so well he also makes the jokes into perfect cues and great laughs. Adam does a good job as well, both actors worked very well together and actually have great chemistry. I think everyone would agree that their version of "I feel pretty" was just so awesome and beyond hilarious. It was also nice to see that this wasn't a typical Sandler film filled with predictable cameo's of his friends, so it showed that he could carry the film without doing the common predictability.

Dave is a man who designs cat suits for fat cats, he has a beautiful girlfriend, Linda, and seems to have it together, only he's actually pretty taken advantage of by his boss and Linda's ex boyfriend. He lets a lot of things go. One day when he is on a plane, he is accused of "assulting" a flight attendant and racist marks, despite the situation actually being the opposite. But he is sent to anger management anyways and is being mentored by Dr. Buddy Rydell, a bit of a psychotic, but this proves Dave's "internal" anger and turns out to prove that Dave does need help and who might be crazier in life.

Anger Management is sometimes a bit silly, but I love this comedy, it's always good for so many laughs. Buddy was just so awesome in that scene where he has to pull his car out of the parking spot, but there is another car blocking him and he just handles it "his way", you'll have to see. Adam and Jack were great together and I would recommend this film for anyone. Like I said, it's not a typical Sandler film and really works well.

7/10

Sandler at his most restrained

[winner55 · 7/10 · 3 September 2007]

This is a pretty good romantic comedy with silly bits tossed in (like the squeaky toy bear). This is the first Sandler performance I've really liked a lot, and while Nicholson is really just tossing it off, let's face it, his throwaways are frequently better than the best from most other actors. Here the match - Sandler at his most restrained, Nicholson getting sloppy - works very well, as each becomes a complement to the other, which is wholly in keeping with the characters and their situation. The supporting cast is also doing very well. And the film is well-made: possibly even too much so, as for instance with the cinematography, which is of a high quality that would suit a heavy dramatic film.

There are definitely some laugh-out-loud high moments along the way, and very few low moments. Not a great movie, but definitely a movie you can spend an evening with and think it money well-spent.

Amazing end

[valadas · 6/10 · 15 August 2008]

After watching nine tenths of this movie I was inclined to give it a very bad mark like a 3 or 4: an idiotic scenario and a succession of dull gags, episodes and scenes which not even the enormous talent of Jack Nicholson could save. But suddenly the manner of the movie changes in the last scenes which are gorgeous and even give a quite original meaning to the whole story. If it's not enough to compensate us for the dullness felt till then at least it brings the movie's mark a few points up in my opinion. The scenes at the baseball stadium and the final ones which follow immediately are indeed extremely good comedy scenes. Therefore if you go to watch this movie, have the patience of waiting for its last tenth because it's worth it.

Thank god for Nicholson

[tomimt · 7/10 · 20 September 2005]

What is the funniest thing about this comedy? Adam Sandler? Hardly. The best thing about this movie is Jack Nicholson. he's the sole reason this movie is funny.

So, Dave (Sandler) is this geeky guy, who has never lost his temper in his life, who by fault of an mistake in an airplane is ordered by a judge to see a anger consultant Buddy Rydel (Nicholosn), whose unorthodox anger management methods soon drive this mosey man crazy. And then there's Dave's personal problems with his girlfriend Linda (Marisa Tomei).

As for comedy Anger Managment flows pretty nicely and the jokes are mostly in their correct places and it has very few awkward moments, which seldom plague comedies of this particular genre.

Can't actually think of anything extremely negative to say about it, I'm very pleasantly surprised by the flick, it gave me good laughs and it will probably last multiple viewings, thanks to Nicholson, who really keeps this movie above the gray mass of comedy sea.

Good Management

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 5 October 2010]

This movie works especially because of Jack Nicholson. The gravitas he brings into his role (especially considering the really crazy things he's doing here) helps a lot improve a not perfect script. And even if some inconsistencies are explained (the airplane "incident"), it still would not make a lot of sense.

It actually doesn't. But with Jack, you just bare with it/him and suspend your disbelief, just like that. Of course many will watch it (or have so), because of Adam S. I myself am not the biggest fan of his "comedy" work. Though I have to say I loved him in some dramas he did. Here it seems, he get pulled into the movie by Jack, who has complete control of the movie ...

Goosfaba ..... goooosfaaaabaaaaa!

[greene-1 · 27 August 2003]

I don't know why this film has had so many negative reviews.

I saw this movie several times while flying between Europe and Asia. On each occasion it had me laughing at the zany gags and characterisation.

Maybe it was the altitude!

Yeah there are weak points e.g. some of the plot.

But Sandler and Nicholson et al had the right 'chemistry', if you can call it that, to bring regular doses of spicy humour to the film.

If all else fails, try watching it at 45,000 feet.

Better than I anticipated

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 15 July 2011]

I am not a fan of Adam Sandler, I find he is good in the more dramatic films(Punch Drunk Love and Reign Over Me are his best performances to me) and save a few exceptions(Spanglish, The Wedding Singer and Happy Gilmore) I find him irritating in comedy. However, Anger Management is one of the exceptions, Sandler is quite good here but Jack Nicholson outshines him. The script is funny likewise with most of the gags(the describing-who-he-is scene), the story intriguing, the pace snappy in the first two thirds and the characters fairly likable. What lets Anger Management though are one or two scenes that don't quite work such as the basketball scene and a final third that is not only a little draggy compared to the first two-thirds but rather clichéd and cheesy too. Overall, entertaining and a better film than I anticipated. 7/10 Bethany Cox

I can't think of a single reason to recommend this film

[xnhgdf · 1/10 · 5 November 2020]

This is simply a terrible movie. It sits in a limbo between comedy and drama where it's got neither. There's no point. The storyline is riddled with completely unbelievable events. Outside of John C. Reilly, none of the side characters offer anything entertaining. The main couple has no chemistry. Halfway through the movie, I thought to myself, "Alright, now the comedy will begin," and it never came until maybe the final scene of the movie. Just don't watch this movie. It's not even 1 star "haha, stupid Adam Sandler movie" bad, it's bad to the point where it offers nothing.

Good Fun, even if it's a little muddled

[mjw2305 · 7/10 · 11 February 2006]

Adam Sandler (Dave Buznik) is a mild mannered and submissive business man with an apparent knack for getting himself into unfortunate and disastrous situations. After a very small misunderstanding aboard an aeroplane escalates out of control, Dave is sentenced to Anger Management at the hands of Jack Nicholson (Buddy Rydell)

Dr. Rydell is a therapist with a tendency for the unusual. As the therapy progresses things seem to get worse and after another huge slice of misfortune, Dr. Rydell is forced to move in with Dave and conduct 30 days of intensive Anger Management.

With good comic performances from Sandler and especially Nicholson and some hilarious interaction from the support cast 'Anger Management' is certainly not short of laughs; but it does seem to get a little muddled along the way. That said the movie finishes well (although totally unbelievable) and ends up as a comedy film you'd be silly to miss out on.

7/10

Do you ever feel like you've been cheated?

[PapaChubby · 1/10 · 11 April 2003]

This movie was a festering turdburg and an incredible waste of the talents of some extremely gifted actors. It just goes to show that if you've seen one Adam Sandler movie, you've seen them all. It's a shame that John C. Reilly, John Turturro, and Jack Nicholson have their names attached to this convoluted farce.

Funny comedy

[dprincesspotter · 9/10 · 21 January 2005]

This is a funny movie. When my husband and I went to see it in the theater we were actually laughing out loud. And it was not just us, it was everybody in the theater. Someone looking for a deep and meaningful plot will not find what they are looking for, however it is one of the best plots of all the Adam Sandler movies. It would also not be for anyone who would easily get offended by off-color jokes. Jack Nicholson is hilarious as the Anger Management therapist. He has some of the funniest parts in the whole movie. Adam Sandler is not to shabby himself as the not angry guy learning to be angry through a series of seemingly unfortunate and random events.

If you are an Adam Sandler fan or a fan of the screw ball comedy, you will love this movie.

Okay remind me, was this suposed to be a comedy!

[coolparkolay · 1/10 · 20 April 2003]

Because I didn't laugh! It was one of the most boring movies I've ever seen. I was checking my watch for the time every five minutes! Sure Jack Nicholson was entertaining, but that movie need more than Jack to make it good! All I can say is it's a good thing that I snuck into this movie. To pay for it I just might have killed myself. Adam Sandler should rethink his humor!

Check your Anger on the way out

[mick987g · 18 May 2003]

Let me start off by saying that I am not a big Adam Sandler fan. But this movie was hilarious. Nicholson and Sandler work very well together.

John Turturro as usual plays his part well as Chuck.

Marisa Tomei part is good but as a Tomei fan it is not enough

How every Jack Nicholson is his usual psycho funny self in this movie. Pushing the envelope so far with Sandlers character Dave Buznik.

1 hour and 41 minutes passed like the wind.

And please keep watch Woody Harrelson like you have never seen him before. Try not to give too much away here with that one. But somewhere in this movie you will see what I mean

Hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did

As Sandler comedies go, this is a good one

[iKickstand · 6/10 · 21 March 2006]

I first saw Anger Management on release in 2003, and watched it again recently. I must say it didn't feel as good as I remembered it, but I still found it entertaining on second watch and a cut above most Hollywood comedies of the last few years.

I think it is obvious (Even if you haven't seen it yet) that Nicholson makes the film what it is, but thats not to say Sandler acts his typical un-funny self (although I did also enjoy Big Daddy).

Some nice gags, watchable slapstick comedy, and another great Nicholson performance make this stand out as a good comedy of recent years for me. But then again, I'm not a massive ran of the genre.

Its performances like this from Sandler, which put my faith back in Tarrantino for allegedly casting him in his upcoming war movie (if you believe the rumours) And I didn't even mention how good Marisa Tomei and Heather Graham look in this movie..

Goosefraba

[Torgo_Approves · 7/10 · 18 August 2006]

(r#53)

Anger Management is more than just another clone of "Happy Gilmore", and it avoids being the stereotypical, mindless Sandler comedy because of some interesting ideas and themes, an unpredictable twist, and a superb cast (including the hilarious cameos). David Buznik (Sandler himself) is a man of implosive anger. Ever since having his privates laughed at by the love of his life as a child, he's been subconsciously as well as consciously suppressing his anger while everyone from his boss to his girlfriend Linda's (a cute Marisa Tomei) best friend, the well-equipped Andrew (Allen Covert) push him around. One day Dave is arrested for assaulting a stewardess on a flight and assigned to Anger Management, a self-help group lead by the completely insane Dr. Buddy Rydell (Nicholson at his finest, you can tell he's really enjoying himself). Buddy's healing methods appear a bit unorthodox, to say the least, but will they help David let go of his anger?

I can't say I'm much of a fan of Adam Sandler in movies like Happy Gilmore or Billy Madison. In movies of that type he doesn't have a lot of funny material to work with, and his overacting is more embarrassing than funny (I know I'm in the minority here). In "Anger" he's perfectly suited for his role. Every staggering, wooden sentence he utters perfectly describes what kind of character he is and it is impossible not to feel for him at times. We've all been frustrated in more than one situation in which we can't say what we really feel, and Sandler perfectly translates this to the screen; intentionally or not, it works.

Of course it is the legendary Jack himself who dominates the screen, and who is the main reason to see this movie. While other screen giants of the seventies and eighties seem to slip into obscurity over time (Robert De Niro hasn't been in anything really good since Jackie Brown, for example, and when Christopher Walken and Pacino have been reduced to cameos in Gigli, something is seriously wrong), Nicholson continues to star in unforgettable movies even as he gets older. The highly enjoyable and meaningful About Schmidt comes to mind, and I'm extremely happy to see he's going to work with Martin Scorcese in the upcoming The Departed, which comes out this very year. Jack is simply doing what he does best in "Anger Management" and his intensity is what really carries the film. He gets some of the best lines of his career, specifically the "implosive-explosive" speech and the classic "I feel pretty" sequence. As far as I'm concerned, this is one of the highlights of Nicholson's, and *especially* Sandler's, career and although far from being as good as The Shining or Punch-Drunk Love, "Management" is great fun with enough intelligence and wit to satisfy most viewers, as well as a bit of the usual lowbrow Sandler comedy.

The corny ending at the stadium aside, the film is fun from start to finish, if you can stand watching David Buznik go through all kinds of social torture at the hands of Dr. Rydell. A great supporting cast (John Turturro, Luis Guzmán, Kurt Fuller) and a myriad of cameos, including John McEnroe, Heather Graham, Woody Harrelson, Rudy Guiliani and Harry Dean Stanton are just icing on the cake. I don't understand why so many people disliked this movie - how can you not laugh at a Woody Harrelson, in drag, referring to Nicholson as "Mr. Eyebrows"?

only jack nicholson rules

[departed07 · 7/10 · 21 July 2003]

This film has Adam Sandler weak as a dog on a hot summer weekend while Jack Nicholoson tries to bring back the film's zest. This is the type of film where you have to lock your kids because of Jack nicholson. In this movie, he is all out. This film is about Adam Sandler, weak as a stick who is falsely accused of hurting a flight attendent. The law requires that Adam sees a thearpist(jack nicholson) and all of a sudden, all hell breaks loose.



7 stars

Definition of GASLIGHTING

[dilloncamp · 1/10 · 20 May 2021]

I have you ever seen people, heard people talking, not knowing who they are at all, yet just wanted to knock them TF out... Yeah that's everyone in this movie who thinks Dave needs anger management.

Loved it

[kittiwake-1 · 8/10 · 6 November 2006]

Adam Sandler fan. Yep. That is me. I recommend this one to anyone who has a dark sense of humor. Or anyone who can appreciate the idea of Adam Sandler playing a guy (Dave) who just lets the world trample all over him. All because of one incident when he was a kid. How many of us spend our lives trying to prevent a thing that happened once to us from ever happening again? Dave has spent his life doing just that. Enter Dr. Buddy Rydell. He has quite a way about him that makes you wonder what on earth HE is doing as an anger management specialist. And why does Dave need anger management therapy? He's fully in control of his emotions. It really all was just a misunderstanding. But, somehow, innocent as he is, Dave finds himself railroaded into an anger management course with a man who seems to enjoy being a jerk. Well, Dave will just muddle through it all and wait for it all to end. Oh, boy. It only goes downhill from there. This is not for kids. Anyone with "homosexual issues" would not appreciate parts. The absurd humor is great if you like that kind of thing. This one is worth a ton of belly laughs. Look out for cameos. Delightful ones! Casting was great. Plot totally believable in an absurd kind of way. Watch it for the laughs, and share it with a friend!

Funny movie...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 29 September 2012]

"Anger Management" is, in my opinion, one of the better Adam Sandler movies so far.

The story in the movie is very simple, but very interesting, especially because of the relationship between Dave Buznik (played by Adam Sandler) and Dr. Ruddy Rydell (played by Jack Nicholson) and the awkward situations that they end up in. The story is about Dave who is forced into anger management after having gone off his rocks aboard an airplane, and is stuck with the unorthodox methods of Dr. Ruddy Rydell.

Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler really have great chemistry on the screen in the movie. But the movie is carried by Jack Nicholson's performance as the somewhat unique Dr. Ruddy Rydell.

One of the most brilliant moments in "Anger Management" is when you get to see Woody Harrelson on the screen as Galaxia, that is just hilarious and off the chart. It is my favorite part of the movie, especially because Woody Harrelson took on that particular bizarre role.

And also the people in the anger management group was also really a great touch to the movie, and they were hilarious.

Like an endless string of Miller light commercials..

[moribana · 1/10 · 23 April 2003]

Which you may or may not like. I hated it. I found it embarrasingly unfunny, trying to make up for its lack of wit with strained sexual outrageousness. If you can't charm em, brutalize em. An extremely nasty film, its target audience I suppose is adults who never matured beyond 14. Anyway, if your life is in your loins, you'll probably enjoy this piece of ignoble garbage.

Nicholson, Sandler, what a pair!

[comwhiz2002 · 10/10 · 17 April 2003]

This movie is purely wonderful slapstick. Jack Nicholson as the quirky anger management therapist Dr. Buddy Rydell and Adam Sandler as patient Dave Buznik. It's amazing to see how insane yet practical Rydell's (Nicholson) methods are. A great movie to see if you're a Nicholson and/or Sandler fan.

A complete failure at comedy. One of the worst films of the year

[johnnybravo5005 · 1/10 · 16 January 2004]

With Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson together I was expecting a sure hit. A sure miss is more like it. Poor Adam. He's been screwed in ever way possible by the "legal system" and forced into anger management. Throughout the irritating 106 minutes the story line keeps getting more and more unbelievable and Nicholsons character is not funny or interesting and I was hoping he would get his ass kicked within 10 minutes of opening up his mouth.

A real disappointment.

I feel pretty....

[Robbie14 · 31 January 2004]

Anger Management was one of the funniest movies I've seen in a while. Sandler and Nicholson make a great team in this flick. Sure, it's not a real 90's Sandler movie, but it's funny in it's own way.

The story: An easy going man, Dave Buznik, is falsely accused of abuse to a flight attendant. So he has to go through anger management classes, taught by Dr. Buddy Rydell. Little does Dave know of the chaos that goes on in his group, but it's his doctor he has to worry about more. Don't know why? Well, let's just say Buddy needs a little anger management himself.

The acting in this movie is very good, with stars like Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson, Marissa Tomei, John Turturro, Jonathan Loughran, and many more.

Score: ****/*****

Good, but some ...

[borisontherun · 7/10 · 13 May 2003]

Well. Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson. Those two guys really rock together. Added with the everlasting hot Marisa Tomei and a good list of guest-stars, including Heather Graham, Woody Harrelson and John Turturro, this movie really keeps you laughing and interested. This Movie really is worth the money, except its way too cheezy and patriotic end.

I just can`t agree with this stupid PRO - WAR Statement in this Movie. Of course, since this is a comedy, the propaganda is very low and smart done.

Adam Sandlers House is shown quiet a few times during the movie, and there is always the huge advertisement "An Army of One" displayed.

Plus in the end you can see, Mr. Rudy Guiliani, the cool guy. Who is so smart and nice n stuff.

During the biggest crisis of US-Foreign Policy, this movie just needs to show a little bit of attention to its contributors.

And although I really love Adam Sandler as an actor, I really cannot agree with his Pro-War attitude.

But, so I go and watch "my" kinda Anti-War Propaganda "Bowling for Columbine" again.

I just hope this great country finally excepts this view, and starts to abolish actions that remind me too much of germany in the 1930`s.

Cheers,

Boris

Best Adam Sandler movie since "Big Daddy"

[McHuevo · 7/10 · 7 June 2003]

It's funny how many of us use the term "Adam Sandler movie" more and more consistently. As I said before: Sandler has managed to do this kind of comedies, make them his own and get away with it. I have to say, I generally like Sandler's kind of campy, exaggerated movies. Now they added a Jack Nicholson to the recipe, and I was wondering: can this possibly work? To my relief and amazement, the answer was YES.

There's a reason for Jack Nicholson to be one of my favorite actors of all time: he floods the screen with his personality, he can be the scariest villain or the funniest looney ever. He is simply the best. I liked the fact that Nicholson was given the first credit; it is a wide spread tendency these days to put one of these youngsters preceding a well-know movie legend (Keanu Reeves before Pacino, Banderas before Hopkins or Affleck before Freeman, to name a few).

In "Anger Management" Nicholson plays Buddy Ridell, an anger management therapist trying to "help" Dave Buznik (Sandler) get over his problems by the hard way... the VERY hard way. That is IF Buznik has any behavior problems at all. Ah well, if he didn't have any he's about to.

Sandler and Nicholson make a very funny on-screen duo. Both fit in those characters to perfection. Nicholson being a world class know-it-all completely insane therapist and Sandler the shy guy with occasional rage outbursts, which we all know he has mastered over the years, in his own kind of way.

I wish there was a 7.5 rating option in this website. It doesn't deserve the 7 I gave it, but it doesn't make the 8 either. It just one funny film you don't want to miss, specially if you're one of us that likes Adam Sandler movies (yup, there it is again).