Reflections on “Grown Ups 2”: A Nostalgic Comedy with Heart
As a dedicated Adam Sandler fan, having watched almost all of his films from 2010 onwards, including classics like “That’s My Boy,” “Click,” and “50 First Dates,” I find his movies consistently hilarious, often laced with poignant life lessons beneath the humor. It’s true, Sandler’s comedy often incorporates some raunchy jokes, but it’s all part of his signature style.
I remember enjoying “Grown Ups” immensely and recommending it to my friends. It was heartwarming and relatable. Watching “Grown Ups 2” after so many years, I initially struggled to recall the connections between the characters from the first film. The plot felt a bit loose, but perhaps that’s the point – life itself is often a collection of small, seemingly insignificant moments. Each character faces their own set of minor daily challenges.
Leonard has moved back to his hometown. Higgins discovers he has a 13-year-old son. Eric, facing financial difficulties, frequently seeks refuge at his mother’s house to escape his wife. Despite these individual struggles, they all share a common desire: to throw a great party.
The Chaos and Clarity of Life in a Small Town
The film starts off a bit chaotic, and I found it difficult to grasp the central theme. It wasn’t until the college guys appeared and started provoking the main characters that the narrative began to take shape. During Leonard’s party, he challenges Cavanaugh, his childhood bully, to stand up for his son, who is being bullied himself. This resonated with me deeply, as I’ve always been someone who struggles to confront those who mistreat me. I often wonder how I would handle a situation where my child was being bullied. It requires a mix of courage and wisdom, and I’m unsure if I possess both. Even if I were to achieve professional success, like Leonard becoming a successful Hollywood producer, I suspect I’d still harbor anxieties about such confrontations.
The arrival of college students at the party, mocking their unwillingness to leave their small town, is a pivotal moment. A childhood friend, who often clashes with Leonard, defends him, pointing out that Leonard, despite his success in Hollywood, chose to return to the town he loves. The idea of returning to one’s roots in middle age, surrounded by familiar faces and childhood friends, with their children potentially becoming friends or even lovers, is incredibly heartwarming. It underscores the importance of cherishing the place that has nurtured so many memories.
Accepting the Unexpected
Mrs. Lamonsoft’s line, “People plan too much. Unexpected kids are loved just as much as planned kids,” serves as a wake-up call for two of the friends. It encourages them to embrace their own unexpected children with open hearts and minds.
Before watching “Grown Ups 2,” I found myself yearning for a quaint, untouched town that would welcome me back with open arms, and for the possibility of an unexpected joy in my own life.