Adam Sandler is beloved for his work as a comedian on Saturday Night Live and across classic comedies like Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, Click, and many more. But every now and then, he reminds us that he is a very capable actor when appearing in dramatic roles!
Let's take a closer look at the times Adam Sandler has showcased his dramatic acting skills.
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Uncut Gems (2019)
An almost unrecognizable Adam Sandler stars as "Howard Ratner" in Uncut Gems. The film was released in 2019, but it just recently began streaming on Netflix. It is directed by the Safdie brothers, who are rising star indie filmmakers.
In Uncut Gems, Sandler's character is a jeweller with a sports gambling addiction. The unconventional film follows "Howard Ratner" as he deals with gambling debts, sells jewellery to celebrities like NBA star Kevin Garnett, and navigates a chaotic family life.
Watch the trailer for Uncut Gems here
A campaign was mounted to get Sandler an Oscar nomination for his unforgettable performance in Uncut Gems. But after the Academy overlooked his performance in the anxiety-inducing film, Sandler threatened to purposely make a terrible film in response!
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Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
One of Sandler's early dramatic roles came in Paul Thomas Anderson's 2002 film Punch-Drunk Love. In the film, Sandler stars as "Barry Egan," a troubled man who owns a company that sells novelty items. "Barry" becomes the target of an extortion plot while he also falls in love with a woman played by Emily Watson.
Sandler's acting range is on full display in this role, as he delivers the character's shifting emotions of rage, anxiety, loneliness, and love. The actor received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in Punch-Drunk Love.
See the trailer for Punch-Drunk Love, a drama with elements of dark comedy
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The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)
Sandler costars in this sharp family drama film from Marriage Story director Noah Baumbach. In The Meyerowitz Stories, Sandler's character is an unemployed divorcee who moves in with father (played by Dustin Hoffman). The film explores the relationships between the Meyerowitz family members.
See Adam Sandler in the trailer for The Meyerowitz Stories
Netflix distributed The Meyerowitz Stories, which means that it is still streaming on their service today. Check it out! The film and Sandler's performance were well-received by critics.
Other dramatic roles for Adam Sandler
Over the years, Adam Sandler has also contributed touching performances in the romantic comedy-drama Spanglish and the dark comedy-drama Funny People.
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Adam Sandler: An underrated dramatic actor
This collection of films should remind you that Adam Sandler is a diverse talent! As much as he is known for his comedy work, he consistently shines when given the chance to act in dramatic roles.
Uncut Gems marks perhaps Sandler's strongest performance to date. The currently trending film is streaming on Netflix today, so check it out for yourself!