Blended: A Funny Movie About Blending Families

I learned about Blended, the movie, only a few months ago. Hubby and I are big fans of Adam Sandler and we love his tandem with Drew Barrymore. So we were really excited to see this movie. The fact that the story is about blended families made us even more interested. We knew we’d be able to relate to it since we’re also a blended family. It was definitely a film that we didn’t want to miss.

We were finally able to watch it last week.

If you haven’t heard of the movie yet, here’s what it is about.

“Blended” marks the third comedy collaboration between stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, following their successful onscreen pairings in the hit romantic comedies “50 First Dates” and “The Wedding Singer.”

 

After a disastrous blind date, single parents Lauren (Barrymore) and Jim (Sandler) agree on only one thing: they never want to see each other again. But when they each sign up separately for a fabulous family vacation with their kids, they are all stuck sharing a suite at a luxurious African safari resort for a week.

Now, here’s the trailer, in case you want to see it.

I have always thought that Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore have good chemistry on film. That’s why their movies together are so popular and well-loved.  They’re just so natural together. That chemistry is still apparent in Blended. However, I have to say that this movie doesn’t have as much romance in it compared to 50 First Dates or the Wedding Singer. I guess, that’s because the focus is not really just on them as a couple but on their respective families as well. Even so, I would have appreciated a bit more mushiness to add to the “kilig” factor.

As for the other actors, I think the children were really funny in the film. I think the child that played Adam Sandler’s youngest daughter is adorable! I don’t have much to say though about the other adult actors. They didn’t really have that much of an effect on me because I didn’t really see them as funny. So, for me, aside from Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, it was the kids who really made this film fun to watch.

I also have to say that for a comedy, the film did quite a good job depicting the challenges of blending families. It really is not easy all the time. In the film, Jim and Lauren’s kids were even against the two of them dating. They couldn’t stand each other. But because they were thrown into a situation wherein they were forced to live and spend time together, they got to know each other better. For me, that’s really essential. One can’t expect to have a successful blending of families if you all don’t really know each other. Our family has been blended for only 5 years and to be honest, we are all still learning more about each other. It’s going to be a continuous learning process.

The film also did a great job depicting a single parent’s difficulties about dating someone who doesn’t have children. Lauren’s friend, Jen was dating a single dad who had 5 kids and she was very apprehensive about meeting them.  The thought of having to deal with his 5 kids scared her so much that she ended up breaking up with him. I can certainly understand that fear. That is why, when I first separated from my ex, I thought I’d have a hard time finding a single guy who would seriously be interested in having a relationship with me because I already had two kids. I thought my best option would be a single dad, who would better understand my situation. So, life really threw me for a loop when I met single guy Jon without even trying! My having kids was never an issue for him at all. So, I guess that’s what you call LOVE.

The thing that resonated with me the most though is Jim and Lauren’s focus on their kids. Ultimately, it was their same value of putting the children first that really brought them together. Because truth be told, when you’re trying to blend a family with kids, what they think and how they feel  about your partner, and his or her kids, is important. I love how Jim and Lauren, even when they weren’t really in a relationship yet, were really able to bond with each other’s kids. This made the kids get to know them better and make them feel more at ease. Of course, it doesn’t really happen as fast or as easy in real life. It really takes time, sometimes years, before a family can be fully blended. But the most important thing for me, is really making the effort.

To be honest, Blended is not my favorite Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore movie. That honor still goes to 50 First Dates. But I have to say, I was able to relate more to this movie though. I recommend all blended families to watch it. But if your family is not blended, do watch it too, at least for the entertainment factor. You’re also gonna learn a lot about what single parents and blended families go through.