Die Wutprobe

Ohne die tolle Schauspielbesetzung wäre Die Wutprobe nur eine weitere dumme Hollywood-Komödie, die in verschiedene Richtungen geht, aber schließlich ganz woanders landet. Das Drehbuch und die Regie sind nicht gut. Die Schauspieler*innen in den Haupt- und Nebenrollen haben den Film jedoch gerettet und über den Durchschnitt gehoben. Es ist kein dezenter und eleganter Film zum Entspannen, wie man bei einem Werk mit Jack Nicholson erwartet. Es ist aber ein sehr unterhaltsamer Film zum Entspannen, was man von einem Film mit Adam Sandler nicht erwartet. (21.07.2003)

There are great moments and great characters here, which were absolutely perfectly acted. Jack Nicholson, Woody Harrelson, Luis Guzmán, and of course, John Turturro are just a short list of intriguing acting performances. However, the overall story doesn't quite work, and in the end, it feels strange and hardly believable. But it's worth watching for the characters. (26.06.2014)

For a Sandler film, it is surprisingly bearable, not so stupid, and even truly funny in places. The credit for this goes not to Sandler, but mainly to the great Nicholson. The attempt at a plot with a twist is awkward, but overall it is a watchable and solid unpretentious film. (31.01.2007)

As easygoing entertainment, it’s fine, but very disappointing given the stellar cast and the otherwise capable Peter Segal. I like Sandler a lot and I think he's a good actor when someone makes him act, and I adore Nicholson, he's the best actor ever for me, but things didn't quite come together here. Both are supposed to play to their standard, and they do, but the stupid script, including the creepy twist, knocks their entertaining performance into the realm of annoying self-parody (especially in Nicholson's case). What's more, there's an absence of imaginative dialogue humour, which is supplanted by silly emotional outbursts or cheesy slapstick, however excellent is the fight with the pious J.C. Reilly, for instance. It’s okay to watch once and a decent 3*. (06.10.2012)