First of all, I have resisted the urge to make some sort of pun on the film title "Just Go With It" in my review title - its overuse in the film itself became predictable and cheesy quickly - although considering the danger this film is in to be predictable and cheesy in general, it fights against those audience expectations and turns out to be not only enjoyable, but also heartwarming.
Adam Sandler plays Danny, successful middle-aged plastic surgeon who must convince his new girlfriend Palmer (newcomer Brooklyn Decker) he isn't married without revealing the shameful truth that the "wedding ring" in his pocket is used to pick up girls while avoiding commitment. His good friend and office receptionist Katherine (Jennifer Aniston) agrees to pretend to be Danny's wife to prove to Palmer that they're actually getting "divorced."
Even though Jennifer Aniston plays the same character she usually does, this version is charming alongside Sandler and Decker - the three of them make the story and the love triangle work. Supporting actor Nick Swardson as Danny's brother Eddie has some great lines about the sheep-selling industry and even earns some glory in his fake profession by the end. Nicole Kidman as Devlin is another great addition to the cast, and seeing her in a more farcical role is promising of her range as an actress.
Perhaps the highlight of the film's acting, however, is sharp comedic delivery by and involving child actors Bailee Madison as wanna-be movie star Maggie and Griffin Gluck as the manipulatively savvy Michael. The bargaining scene at the pizza shop shows the kids in control, status they more or less maintain as characters and actors throughout.
As an American seeing the film in London, unfortunately Danny's jibe at Katherine's Old Navy wardrobe was only audibly appreciated by me, but it was a clever one-liner that led into the inevitable makeover sequence, which is lavish and unrealistic - everything such a cliché should be.
Choice in music enhances the action and contributes to the characters' emotions, just as "Linger" did for "Click." "Every Breath You Take" by the Police and "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol (not to mention a few *NSYNC references) contribute to the most emotional part of the film.
The most respectful aspect of "Just Go With It" its ability to set up a situation that seems instantly predictable, but doesn't follow through on that suggested path. In hearing the premise I thought I had the entire movie figured out, and while my expectations proved true in some cases, along the way there were less predictable moments that made the film more real and enjoyable - we all knew this movie would be a bit of a joke in both senses, but what makes it even better is the fact that the writers and actors are in on the joke too.
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