It was nice to see somebody other than Sandler leave me laughing in a Sandler movie.
The overall tone of the movie was fine, I just wish Sandler possessed more of a vocabulary than sighs, groans, and uncontrolled shouts. His ape-like vocabulary was out of sync from his displayed success as a restaurant owner.
Your comment is interesting in that my last viewing of this movie left me thinking precisely the same thing.
I give it to the writer(s), director, and Leachman & Leoni for the brilliance I saw in the scene at home while Clasky was at his restaurant with Flor, but I am left trying to decide finally if I think Sandler's character/dialogue was completely ham-handed or deftly genuine.. I don't hate Sandler, but I couldn't help feeling he was chosen because of his (every guy)-ness, but it didn't quite work for me. Again, like you mention, as a talented chef, he was clearly capable of higher function than what he displayed. Then again, perhaps that was just what they wanted us to feel.. He was so taken with her that he fumbled.. I don't quite buy that, but it's possible.
Cloris Leachman is wonderful. I love everything about this performance, and her character was well written.
I've always thought Sandler is funny, but I've ever enjoyed his voices or grunting, either, even back on SNL. This film and The Wedding Singer are his only two films that I can say were good. In spite of the grunting and shouting, I still think he did a great job in this role.
My name is Roger the Shrubber. I arrange, design, and sell shrubberies.
I love Cloris Leachman. Go see her on 2 1/2 men...hilarious.
Sandler's response to a romantic moment was that stupid & goofy facial expression. Plus the "get out of the wind" screach.
No doubt he was a nice guy in this movie, but romantic he ain't.
Maybe that's the reason is wife was totally bonkers.