Fast-forward 10 years or so and Donny Berger (Adam Sandler) is no longer a media sensation, having burned through any money he made from his twisted celebrity status. When the IRS comes knocking at his door for $43,000 with the promise of a jail term if he doesn’t come up with the cash, Donny and an old talk show host friend of his, Randall Morgan (Dan Patrick) come up with a reunion TV special bringing Donny, his long-lost son -- who now calls himself Todd Peterson (Andy Samburg), and the incarcerated mother of his child together. If Donny can convince Todd to do it, he gets $50,000 cash and a get out of jail free card.
Donny goes to see Todd, now a successful hedge fund manager, on the weekend of his wedding to socialite Jamie (Leighton Meester, Gossip Girl). Despite his crudeness, Donny is a hit with everyone, just not with Todd, who claims Donny is his best friend from years past since his background story involves an explosion that killed both his parents. As father and son begin to get to know one another once again, Donny realizes he doesn’t want to dredge up pain for Todd and decides to take responsibility for his actions and go to jail. But the best laid plans…
That’s My Boy is chock full of actors like Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes), Susan Sarandon, James Caan (as an ass-kicking priest – pretty funny), Tony Orlando, Ana Gastayer (Suburgatory), Will Forte, Rachel Dratch, Nick Swardson, Ian Ziering, Alan Thicke, Vanilla Ice, Todd Bridges, Ciara and many more, but all of that star power can’t save That’s My Boy from falling into a pit of juvenile humor and raunch, just for the sake of it. While there were times that I found myself laughing, it wasn’t enough redeem the film. Adam Sandler’s portrayal of Donny Berger is pretty annoying with his overdone Boston accent and Vanilla Ice and Todd Bridges are just insane caricatures of their Hollywood personas. Todd had white powder on his nose for most of his scenes and Vanilla Ice was just, well, Vanilla Ice-ier.
Special features are as painful as the movie and include a gag reel, deleted scenes, and featurettes on the celeb cameos, a featurette on the strip club featured in the film, and one where cast and crew take turns saying, "Wazzzzuuuuuuuppppp!" - a totally annoying few minutes. I’ve always really liked Adam Sandler, but I think he is getting a little old for this stuff. With movies like That’s My Boy and Jack and Jill as his latest offerings, his stock is really falling in my book. If you aren’t offended by crude humor, nudity, drug usage and foul language, all crammed together as much as possible and held together by a loose plot, you might find some laughs here. This is definitely not a purchase, but a rental at best.
