Click (2006)
Category: Movies
Genre: Comedy & Drama
A universal remote control that remote controls your universe.
Called a 21st century remake of It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), Click (2006) is Adam Sandler’s second take in this genre (after Mr. Deeds (2002)) but with an added twist—“a universal remote control that remote controls his universe.”
Playing architect Michael Newman, Sandler’s character is not unlike most employees nowadays—who dream big. Wanting what everyone else covets—becoming a boss, a big shot, so that he can eventually hire idiots to do his work for him.
But at what cost?
With the excessive demands of his boss John Ammer (David Hasselhoff—its so weird hearing The Hoff’ call someone else “Michael.”), Newman (Sandler) workaholic tendencies become more apparent as he forgoes quality time with his family (children (Ben (Joseph Castanon) and Samantha (Tatum McCann), wife (Donna (Kate Beckinsale)), and parents (Theodore K. “Ted” Newman (Henry Winkler) and Gertrude “Trudy” Newman (Julie Kavner)) in order to pursue the American Dream.
David Hasselhoff calls someone else “Michael” (Sandler's character). So weird.
That is until an inadvertent evening trip to Bed Bath & Beyond (BBB) in search of a universal remote—which he had hoped would “make life easier; quicker; not that much complicated”—turned out to be more than what he bargained for.
Enter BBB employee named Morty (Christopher Walken) and his non-refundable universal remote. Morty is cryptic as to the true nature of the device which he bestows onto Newman.
Newman discovers that the universal remote not only works on his television but on his Labrador named Sundance as well. Newman begins to frequently use the device and fast forward’s though other facets of his life that he is unwilling to deal with at that moment such as: arguments, Sundance taking a dump, shifting things to his favor, disturbances, sickness, showering, travel, a tan, a boring seminar, promotions, and “family time.” In the end, the remote assimilated his preferences and only his work remained.
One year goes by. Ten. Six. Seven. Newman’s life flashes before him.
Family First
His children have grown.
His father has passed away.
He losses his wife to a hobbit (“Captain Speedo” Bill played by Sean Astin is also Hobbit Samwise Gamgee of Lord of the Rings fame— Ouch, baby, very ouch).
Newman got what he wanted, he became a renowned architect. A boss. A big shot.
But was it worth it?
Newman finally sees the importance of his family.
Family first.
And luckily–much like “It’s a Wonderful Life’s” lead character George Bailey–Newman has a chance to do things right a second time.
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Now playing: Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror
via FoxyTunes
