Just Go With It is a 2011 romantic comedy film starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, directed by Dennis Dugan.
The film is a remake of the 1969 film Cactus Flower, based on a Broadway play of the same name.
The film follows a plastic surgeon who pretends to be married to his assistant in order to woo a younger woman.
The film received mostly negative reviews from critics, but was a box office success, grossing over $215 million worldwide. But is it a good movie?
In this article, we will explore the positive and negative aspects of the film, and give our personal opinions and recommendations.
Overview of the Movie
Plot Summary
The film’s plot revolves around Danny Maccabee (Adam Sandler), a successful plastic surgeon who uses a fake wedding ring to avoid commitment to women. He meets Palmer (Brooklyn Decker), a young math teacher, and falls in love with her. However, she finds his ring and assumes he is married. Danny lies and says he is getting divorced from his wife Devlin (Nicole Kidman), who cheated on him with a man named Dolph Lundgren (Nick Swardson). He asks his assistant Katherine (Jennifer Aniston), a divorced mother of two, to pose as Devlin and give him her blessing. Katherine agrees, but things get complicated when Palmer wants to meet Danny’s children, who are actually Katherine’s kids Michael (Griffin Gluck) and Maggie (Bailee Madison). Danny bribes them to go along with the charade, and they all fly to Hawaii for a vacation. There, they encounter Katherine’s old rival Devlin Adams (also Nicole Kidman), who is married to Ian Maxtone Jones (Dave Matthews), a wealthy inventor. Danny and Katherine start to develop feelings for each other, while Palmer realizes she is not compatible with Danny. The film ends with Danny and Katherine getting married for real, and Palmer finding love with Eddie/Dolph.
Cast and Crew
The film features a star-studded cast of actors and comedians, some of whom are frequent collaborators of Adam Sandler. The main cast includes:
- Adam Sandler as Danny Maccabee, a plastic surgeon who lies about being married
- Jennifer Aniston as Katherine Murphy, Danny’s assistant and fake wife
- Brooklyn Decker as Palmer Dodge, Danny’s love interest and math teacher
- Nicole Kidman as Devlin Adams, Katherine’s rival and fake ex-wife
- Nick Swardson as Eddie Simms/Dolph Lundgren, Danny’s cousin and fake lover of Devlin
- Bailee Madison as Maggie Murphy/Patricia Maccabee, Katherine’s daughter and fake daughter of Danny
- Griffin Gluck as Michael Murphy/Bart Maccabee, Katherine’s son and fake son of Danny
- Dave Matthews as Ian Maxtone Jones, Devlin’s husband and inventor
- Kevin Nealon as Adon, an eccentric plastic surgery patient of Danny
- Rachel Dratch as Kirsten Brant, Adon’s wife
- Allen Covert as Soul Patch, Danny’s friend
- Dan Patrick as Tanner Patrick, Palmer’s boss
- Minka Kelly as Joanna Damon, Eddie’s ex-girlfriend
The film was directed by Dennis Dugan, who has worked with Adam Sandler on several films such as Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, Grown Ups, Jack and Jill, Grown Ups 2, and Pixels. The film was written by Allan Loeb and Timothy Dowling, based on the screenplay by I.A.L. Diamond for Cactus Flower. The film was produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions and distributed by Columbia Pictures.
Positive Aspects
Despite the negative reviews from critics, the film has some positive aspects that may appeal to some viewers. Some of these are:
Positive Messages and Role Models
The film portrays some positive messages about family, friendship, honesty, loyalty, and love. The film shows how Danny learns to appreciate Katherine and her children as more than just his employees or accomplices. He realizes that he loves them for who they are, not for what they can do for him. He also learns to be honest with himself and others about his feelings and intentions. He apologizes to Palmer for lying to her and confesses his love to Katherine in front of everyone. Katherine also shows growth as a character, as she overcomes her insecurity and jealousy toward Devlin. She stands up for herself and her family against Devlin’s insults and manipulations. She also supports Danny in his pursuit of happiness, even if it means letting him go with Palmer. She shows kindness and generosity towards Palmer as well, despite being hurt by Danny’s lies. Michael and Maggie are also positive role models for children, as they are smart, creative, brave, and loyal. They help Danny and Katherine with their scheme but also teach them valuable lessons about family and love. They also have their own dreams and passions, such as acting and magic.
Comedy and Entertainment Value
The film is a comedy, and as such, it provides some laughs and entertainment for the audience. The film has many humorous scenes and dialogues, such as Danny’s interactions with his plastic surgery patients, Eddie’s impersonation of Dolph Lundgren, Katherine’s makeover, Devlin’s coconut accident, the sheep scene, the hula contest, and the wedding ceremony. The film also has some physical comedy and slapstick, such as Danny getting hit by a golf ball, Katherine falling off a cliff, Eddie getting chased by a shark, and Devlin getting punched by Ian. The film also features some cameo appearances by celebrities such as Heidi Montag, Nicole Richie, Tom Cruise, and Ke$ha.
Romantic Elements
The film is also a romance, and as such, it has some romantic elements that may appeal to some viewers. The film shows how Danny and Katherine fall in love with each other gradually and naturally, despite their initial differences and conflicts. They have chemistry and compatibility, as they share similar interests, hobbies, values, and a sense of humor. They also have fun together, as they enjoy each other’s company and jokes. They also care for each other deeply, as they support each other through their problems and challenges. They also respect each other’s boundaries and feelings, as they do not force or pressure each other into anything they are not comfortable with. They also show affection and intimacy towards each other, such as holding hands, hugging, kissing, and dancing.
Is It Worth Watching?
The answer to this question may depend on the personal preferences and tastes of the viewer. Some people may enjoy the film for its comedy, romance, or positive messages. Some people may find the film entertaining, funny, or heartwarming. Some people may relate to the characters or situations in the film.
Some people may appreciate the film’s cast or production values. However, some people may dislike the film for its plot, editing, or writing. Some people may find the film predictable, clichéd, or unrealistic. Some people may be offended by the film’s humor or stereotypes. Some people may be bored by the film’s length or pace. Some people may not care for the film’s genre or style.
Therefore, our personal opinions and recommendations are:
- If you are a fan of Adam Sandler or Jennifer Aniston, you may enjoy watching them in this film.
- If you are looking for a light-hearted and easy-going comedy or romance, you may find this film amusing and enjoyable.
- If you are looking for a family-friendly or date-night movie, you may find this film suitable and appealing.
- If you are looking for a high-quality or original film with a strong plot or message, you may be disappointed or dissatisfied with this film.
- If you are looking for a realistic or serious film with deep characters or themes, you may be annoyed or frustrated by this film.
