You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (2008)

Directed by: Dennis Dugan | 113 minutes | action, comedy | Actors: Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Nick Swardson, Lainie Kazan, Ido Mosseri, Rob Schneider, Dave Matthews, Michael Buffer, Charlotte Rae, Sayed Badreya, Daoud Heidami, Kevin Nealon, Robert Smigel, Dina Doron, Shelley Berman, Chris Rock, Mari

Although the script of ‘You Don’t Mess with the Zohan’ was written in 2000, according to co-writer Smigel, it was not made into a film until later because of the terrorism theme with which the film is filled. ‘You Don’t Mess with the Zohan’ isn’t a masterpiece and not nearly as strong as Sandler’s previous production ‘I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry’ but basically good for a laugh here and there – if you’re not too demanding.

The fact is actually quite hilarious: a tough Israeli killer machine commando named Zohan (Adam Sandler) wants to give up his macho existence and realize his dream: to become a hairdresser in New York. Making people beautiful instead of killing them. Zohan fakes his death when he finds himself in a fight against his Palestinian nemesis Phantom (John Turturro) and leaves for America. There he renamed himself the Australian Scrappy Coco and little is left of the macho behavior when he also shows stereotypical hairdressing traits. But his mojo hasn’t changed and he does give the mostly older ladies a very special treatment. Until he realizes that there is really only one he loves: the sweet girl who hired him despite everything: hairdresser Dalia (Emmanuelle Chriqui). The problem is that a. she thinks he is Australian and b. she is also of Palestinian descent. When it turns out that his secret identity comes under pressure and the hair salon comes under fire, the problems really start. But as befits a real hero, he saves his damsel in distress and Zohan confronts him.

What Americans see in Adam Sandler’s humor, few Europeans see. But his lame jokes seem to have diminished in the last few films and are becoming more and more enamored with this comedian. Can Sandler get away with his charming appearance for the first half hour, after that he really starts to irritate (again). Not least because his accent – ​​both Israeli and ‘Australian’ – is starting to get on my nerves. In addition, he is also inconclusive as an Israeli anti-terrorist and continues to look like Adam Sandler in disguise. Rob Schneider – also not particularly known for good comedies – plays taxi driver Salim, also a refugee from Zohan’s region, who picks up on Zohan’s trail and wants to rat him out. Schneider is actually just not humorous (think of his immensely bland Deuce Bigalow) and actually dwarfs a few actors who do come out nicely. Surprisingly, newcomer Daoud Heidami as Nasi, who knows what’s funny and who makes up for a lot with his kind eyes and charming smile.

Fans of the unique – so to speak – Sandler/Schneider humor will probably pride themselves on this latest Sandler creation, comedy lovers will probably appreciate it too, but it cannot be called a fantastically strong film. Not even by a hair.