The Benchwarmers

It’s no secret that reviewing films is a highly subjective matter. It’s no secret that the grades that I give out to these films are arbitrary and capricious. So when it comes to a film like The Benchwarmers, I gear up to play my arbitrary card and push for the win. Okay, so maybe I’m getting lost in my own verbiage (it wouldn’t be the first time). One thing that I look for when I review a film is what the intent of the film was, then I review the film based on the intentions of the filmmakers and based on whether or not I felt that those intentions were accomplished effectively. For this reason, I can look at a musical such as Singin’ in the Rain and give it an “A” and I can look at an action blockbuster like Live Free or Die Hard and also give it an “A”. Does that mean I think that they are equal in terms of quality? Well, that’s where that arbitrary bit comes in. I review films based on their independent merits, not for purposes of comparing one “A” film to another, or even one “F” film to another. In other words, if you happen to like musicals or classics more than action films or comedies, I try to review those films based on their own sensibilities. Keeping that in mind, on with the next review!

The Benchwarmers is a film that, just by looking at the advertisements and the performers in it (no personal offense to Rob Schneider, who I know reads my blog), seems destined to be a disasterpiece. Yet, it isn’t. In fact, The Benchwarmers doesn’t suck in any way, shape or form. It is, as usual, entirely arbitrary, but I can honestly say that if slapstick feel-good comedies are your thing, you will likely get a good kick out of this film and you will likely enjoy yourself. Mission accomplished.

Let’s dig a bit deeper, though. The Benchwarmers was produced by Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions, so you can pretty much guess at the tone that the film is going to have from the outset. It stars David Spade (Joe Dirt, Black Sheep, Tommy Boy, Police Academy 4), Rob Schneider (The Waterboy, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigalo, The Animal, The Hot Chick), Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Just Like Heaven), Jon Lovitz (Three Amigos, High School High, The Producers, City Slickers 2: The Legend of Curly’s Gold), and Molly Sims. The film also features supporting roles from Craig Kilborn, Tim Meadows, Nick Swardson, and Reggie Jackson.

With that cast, you pretty much know what you’re getting. The plot is quite simple, as three neighbourhood friends decide to challenge neighbourhood bullies to baseball games. A millionaire (Lovitz) comes along and sponsors the whole thing, telling the three friends that he’s doing it for his son because his son was bullied just like he was. Eventually, the tournament is hugely popular and all sorts of nerds and jocks show up to cheer on the teams in the Round Robin setup.

The film is a heartwarming little tale with lots of fart jokes and slapstick humour, making it right on par with what to expect from a film with Sandler’s blueprint on it. It carries a solid message, isn’t too preachy, and lampoons itself enough to carry the gags and jokes one step further. The Benchwarmers doesn’t take itself seriously and, like most films of this ilk, neither should the viewer. Sit back, relax and enjoy the antics of Lovitz (it’s priceless when he drives the Knight Rider car AND the old Batmobile), Heder (who is a great physical comedian with excellent timing), Spade (great one-liners and a killer haircut), and Schneider (he actually plays the “straight man” in this one). It’s fun for the whole family, with farts!

Trailer: