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Big Daddy                                                                                            Although it comes with spit and plenty of urine, Big Daddy also sneaks in a load of charm and a big heart. Sonny Koufax (Adam Sandler) is a lethargic and wayward law school graduate who spends his days avoiding the responsibilities of adult life. Professionally (if you can call it that), he's content to work the occasional shift as a toll booth collector. However, when a six-year old boy is left on his doorstep, Sonny attempts to impress his girlfriend by adopting Julian (played by Cole and Dylan Sprouse). Humour and antics abound throughout as the two relate to each other on a level playing field and soon form a father-son bond. Sonny learns about responsibility and Julian finds someone to love him.

Big Daddy isn't the typical Adam Sandler comedy. Directed by Dennis Dugan (Happy Gilmore), this toned-down project exhibits an unexpected sensitivity about a serious subject. The trademark playground humour that's made Sandler famous is definitely there, but there's also a message. The story addresses parenting, adoption, measures of success, and ideas of personal fulfilment -- even if it simultaneously make a mockery of modern day social services. The lead characters share a sincere bond, which offers more than just a strong of funny pee and fart jokes.

There are endearing moments throughout Big Daddy, such as when Sandler uses the toy Scuba Steve to entice the smelly Julian, temporarily renamed 'Frankenstein', to bathe. This sweetness is countered by moments of fairly nasty verbal abuse, like when Sonny hounds his roommate's girlfriend over her history as a Hooters' waitress. No mercy is shown and nobody gets respect when Big Daddy's humour is aimed their way. Steve Buscemi makes his standard Sandler-film cameo appearance as a McDonald's food-eating homeless man; Jon Stewart is good in his supporting role as the more responsible roommate; and Rob Schnieder is noteworthy as an illiterate foreign delivery boy.

The situation presented in this film is not exactly realistic and the ending includes a melodramatic court scene (how many of those have we had to sit through?) and an overly sentimental epilogue. Events are tied up far too perfectly to have any credibility. But, let's face it -- Big Daddy has more heart and less profanity and yelling than the typical Adam Sandler fare, and this buddy flick entertains.