When the trailers for "Jack and Jill" were released, starring Adam Sandler (2011's "Just Go with It") in the dual roles of a bickering twin brother and sister, audience reaction more closely resembled a disbelieving outcry (that it is destined to be a big hit regardless may give it the last laugh). It is true that the film, based on its general sheen and advertising, looks more like one of Sandler's character's asinine fictional comedies glimpsed in 2009's "Funny People" than a legitimate, honest-to-goodness motion picture, but that also appeared to be part of its possible charm; even if it was terrible, it would likely be an entertaining kind of terrible or, at least, an offbeat curiosity. And, if it turned out to not be bad at all—a knowingly ridiculous idea so crazy it works—then all the better. Alas, "Jack and Jill" is more "Norbit" than "Tootsie" or "Mrs. Doubtfire." It's got its moments, to be sure, but director Dennis Dugan (2010's "Grown Ups") and writing trio Steve Koren (2006's "Click"), Robert Smigel (2008's "You Don't Mess with the Zohan"), and Ben Zook seem to be slumming it, under the false assumption that a clever, fully-formed screenplay is unnecessary as long as their leading man is in a wig and dress. If only quality moviemaking was that easy.
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