Is Blended Really Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore's Worst Movie Together?

Blended is one of three movies Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore starred in together and is often regarded as the worst of the lot. While Sandler’s films have rarely been critical darlings (with exceptions like Uncut Gems and Punch-Drunk Love standing out more as a result), some have garnered particularly harsh words from critics. This includes Blended, Adam Sandler’s movie with Drew Barrymore where the two play recently single parents who find themselves increasingly pushed together during a trip to Africa.

Even when compared to the mixed reception of their prior collaboration 50 First Dates, Blended suffered from several negative critical reviews that focused on the boring and low-key offensive elements of the movie. As a result, it has a shockingly low score on Rotten Tomatoes, to the point where it’s one of Barrymore’s worst critically-received films. However, ten years later, it’s worth looking back and considering if Blended really is the worst film to pair the two actors and what element of the film actually works.

Blended Is Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore’s Lowest-Rated Movie Together

Blended Remains A Critical Low For Drew Barrymore

Blended is the lowest critically rated collaboration between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, and it’s arguably the worst of their films together. The two stars have appeared opposite one another in three romantic comedies over the years. Before Blended, there was The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates. At the time of writing, The Wedding Singer has a positive cumulative score of 72% on Rotten Tomatoes. Their later film, 50 First Dates, had a far less positive impact with critics and has a cumulative score of 45%. Even that looks solid compared to Blended, which only earned a collective 15% from Rotten Tomatoes.

In Blended, Sandler and Barrymore play Jim and Lauren. The former is a recent widower, while the latter is reeling from her recent divorce. After a failed blind date, the pair are stuck together at the same safari resort with their respective children. While many critics called out the film’s blend of slapstick and schmaltz, regressive approach to gender politics, and shaky views on Africa, the most common criticism for Blended was that it is simply a boring film, which doesn’t necessarily make it bad.

Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore Never Made A Bad Movie Together

The Chemistry Between Adam Sandler And Drew Barrymore Elevates Their Films

Despite the largely negative reviews and specific flaws, Blended isn’t an actively bad movie. While it is indicative of a largely lackluster period in Sander’s career, Blended highlights the consistently solid chemistry between him and Barrymore. The emotional arc at the heart of the film is a good enough concept to hang a film on. It’s also bolstered by solid performances by the young cast, especially Bella Thorne as the oldest of Jim’s children. Barrymore is quietly great at slapstick, something the film does allow her to showcase.

The flaws that hinder Blended may make it the worst of the three Sandler/Barrymore collaborations, but it’s far from the worst film Sandler ever made. It’s not even actively bad, beyond the kind of dated elements that also hinder some of Sandler’s more positively received films (especially the quietly problematic 50 First Dates). While it’s far from the best work either performer has appeared in, Blended is a forgettable but largely banal rom-com that benefits from the talents of the central stars. Luckily, audiences have another movie that also highlights their chemistry, but utilizes it far better.

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The Wedding Singer Will Always Be Adam Sandler & Drew Barrymore’s Best Movie

The Wedding Singer Is The Right Level Of Sweet To Work

Released in 1998, The Wedding Singer remains a highlight of Sandler’s early career. Following the success of films like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer proved that Sandler’s distinctly aggressive and silly approach to comedy could be filtered through a more grounded romantic story. The Wedding Singer is also a strong showing from Barrymore, who brings a consistent warmth to the film as Julia. While the film may be sappy at times, there’s an earnest element to the film that elevates it beyond the trappings of the genre.

There are few surprises in The Wedding Singer, but the film’s earnest approach to the material highlights how well Sandler and Barrymore work together. Blended is only able to use that chemistry to a fraction of the effectiveness of The Wedding Singer, and it’s still the best part of the movie. However, both films (along with 50 First Date) make a solid case for Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore’s on-screen compatibility. Blended may not be a great movie, but it does benefit from having one of film’s most underrated romantic pairings front and center.

Blended (2014)

Written by Clare Sera and Ivan Menchell and directed by Frank Coraci, Blended is a 2014 Romantic Comedy. Starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, the film sees two blind date participants that agree to never see one another again end up being forced to do so when they end up on the same vacation.

Director

Frank Coraci

Release Date

May 23, 2014