June 7, 2008 -- Adam Sandler is one of the smartest guys in Hollywood. He has perfected a formula for making low-budget romantic comedies that turn into box office gold. While most studio executives are still pursuing big-budget blockbusters, Sandler, who heads his own production company, Happy Madison Productions, keeps doing what he does best: Little movies which turn a big profit margin. His latest film, despite its ridiculously long name, is another little romantic comedy. Zohan is a bit different, however, in that it dares to take on the long-running conflict between Jews and the Arabs in the Middle East. Unlike most serious films about this subject, this comedy actually brings some sense to the bitter conflict, as well as a touch of much-needed sweetness and romance, along with comedy.

Zohan is an absurdly competent counter-terrorist working for the Israeli military, but his secret wish is to be a hairdresser. In a conflict with his nemesis, the Phantom (John Turturro of “Anger Management”), Zohan fakes his own death so he can escape to the United States to become a hairdresser. Due to his inherent weirdness, and the fact that he has no experience as a hairdresser, no reputable salon will take him on. Finally, he tries a salon in a run-down part of New York loaded with immigrants, Jews on one side of the street, Palestinians on the other. The salon that gives Zohan a chance is run by a beautiful Palestinian woman, Dalia (Emmanuelle Chriqui of the TV series “Entourage”). Zohan's (going by the name of Scrappy Coco and pretending to be of Australian-Nepalese descent) idea of service to the clientele includes stud service as well as a wash and cut, and he isn't picky. He will have sex with any woman who has a pulse. Soon, Dalia's salon becomes very popular with the ladies. Especially the older ones. Zohan, sporting an oversized codpiece, is the ultimate masculine hairdresser.

Eventually, Zohan's cover is blown and his old nemesis comes to New York for one final battle with him. The entire neighborhood is targeted for destruction by a greedy developer, who tries to get the Jews and Palestinians to fight each other by hiring a neo-Nazi motorcycle gang to stir up trouble. A Palestinian cab driver named Salim (Rob Schneider of “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo”) with an old grudge against Zohan vows revenge. Zohan's would-be girlfriend is turned off when she discovers Zohan's former career with the Israeli military, and Zohan's parents (Shelley Berman of the “Boston Legal” TV show and Dina Doron) are very disappointed with Zohan's career move. Through a series of very improbable events, everything works out well.

Some of the comedy is inspired and some of it is downright retarded. Sandler's movies are like that. Parts of the film are polished, parts are sloppy. If you've seen them before, you know exactly what to expect. Amid the silliness, the boorishness and the vulgarity is a certain warmness and sweetness. Sandler knows his strengths and he plays to them in this film. He has a gift for physical comedy, and he's a very likeable guy. He is also surrounded by a lot of friends and a lot of talent, including Lainie Kazan of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” Chris Rock of “Rush Hour,” singer Mariah Carey, former tennis star John McEnroe, Star Trek star George Takei and others. Despite the seriousness of the Palestinian-Israeli issue it embraces, this film is good-natured fun. It rates a C+.

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Copyright © 2008 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
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