You Don't Mess With The Zohan is Adam Sandler's brave if somewhat misfired attempt to bring humour to the Israeli Palestinian issue.
From a script he co-wrote with his former flatmate and comic maestro Judd Apatow, You Don't Mess With The Zohan follows the hopes and dreams of Israeli counter terrorist Zohan, who after faking his own death in Israel flees to America in the hope of fulfilling his ambition to become a hairdresser.
This film treads a razor sharp line between brazen self confidence, crassness and humour that I am still unsure if what I sat through for 2 hours was good or just plain stupid.
There are moments of genuine laughs, however I am afraid the script lacks the perceptiveness and skill usually associated with Apatow classics such as Knocked Up and 40 Year Old Virgin.
Sandler is trying so hard as Zohan but for me he is a poor man's Borat with a really confused accent.
However, it is great fun playing spot the cameo as there are just so many – Sandler is obviously a popular guy in Hollywood.
The film definitely lifts when Zohan finally starts working in a New York salon. Where he begins servicing the ladies in more ways than one but the one note joke has well and truly run out of steam by then.
It is obvious what Sandler and Apatow were aiming for… however just a hint of subtlety would have gone a long way.
There will definitely be an audience out there that will appreciate this movie, I am just not one of them. You Don't Mess With The Zohan rates 2 stars.
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