YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN 

Director: Dennis Dugan
Studio: Columbia Pictures
Principal Actors: Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Rob Schneider
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Rating: 14A
Released: 6 June 2008

Reviewed By: Lauren Eldridge (Port Moody/Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)
 

If you're in the mood for a light-hearted comedy and a laugh with some pals, this is the movie for you. Classically Adam Sandler, this haute coiffure comedy takes the mickey when it comes to making jokes at the expense of the Israeli/Palestinian animosity.

Growing tired of his life as an Israeli counter-terrorist, the Zohan (Adam Sandler) decides to throw in the towel and pursue his dream of making people silky-smooth. Moving to America, he fails to receive an audience with his idol Paul Mitchell, and soon discovers the only place that will begrudgingly take him is a Palestinian hair salon. Despite falling head over heels for its owner Dalia (Emmanuelle Chriqui), the Zohan is quite a hit with the ladies and earns the salon enough money to combat plans to replace their block with a mall. Taxi-driver Salim (Rob Schneider) realizes the Zohan's true identity and calls sworn Palestinian rival "The Phantom" (John Turturro) to finish him off. When the Israelis and Palestinians discover the secret attempt to oust them by pitting them against one another, they must choose to continue their centuries-old struggle or put aside their animosity and fight "The Man" instead.

While hardcore Adam Sandler fans might not appreciate the humour, You Don't Mess With The Zohan can still be enjoyed for the silliness that it is. There are some good laughs, especially those that play on Middle Eastern outrageous stereotypes. One scene includes 30 people climbing out of a taxi, and Sandler uses hummus in more ways than I thought humanly possible. The accents were awful, but intentionally so. I only wished for subtitles twice.

The cute story is not surprising, but I have to admire Sandler's attempt to integrate a love interest, the threat of American mall takeover, a Hackey Sack tournament, and hairdressing. While such humour may be seen to perpetuate the stereotypes, it could very well be the best way to combat them. Featuring interesting characters, an attempt at character development, and the blatant mocking of Mariah Carey, I'd give Adam Sandler a high five.