Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Silly Adam Sandler romcom has profanity, drunken antics.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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The Wedding Singer
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 36 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a hilarious romantic comedy that showcases Adam Sandler's comedic talent, though it contains a significant amount of coarse language, sexual jokes, and themes of drinking. Reviews highlight it as a classic favorite among fans, suitable for older tweens and teens, while cautioning that its mature content may not be appropriate for younger audiences.
- hilarious romantic comedy
- coarse language
- sexual humor
- suitable for teens
- classic favorite
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Set in 1985, THE WEDDING SINGER stars Adam Sandler as Robbie Hart, a mullet-wearing singer-songwriter in New Jersey who performs love songs at weddings with his band, which includes a cross-dressing Boy George impersonator. Robbie's great talent isn't his singing but rather his peacemaking. At receptions he smoothly defuses embarrassing, alcohol-fueled blowups between angry in-laws, and he helps bitter best men sober up. Apparently Robbie's having been orphaned at age 10 motivates his ideals of marriage and tranquility. Thus it's a shattering blow when his own fiancée is a no-show at the altar. Now it's responsible Robbie's turn to lapse into drunken bitterness. The friends he's made at the party center help him through the bad time, especially Julia (Drew Barrymore), a waitress engaged to junk-bond dealer Glenn (Matthew Glave). Robbie uses his business connections to help plan Julia's wedding, and in the process the two fall in love. Robbie sees clearly that the Miami Vice-fixated Glenn is a self-centered rat who cares more about his DeLorean than he does for Julia.
Is It Any Good?
The Wedding Singer is not the most original comedy, but it's cute, and Robbie's situation could inspire the start of a discussion about ethical choices. The movie never stops reminding viewers -- mostly via pop-music references -- that it's set in 1985: Fashions are inspired by Michael Jackson, unspeakable haircuts derive from the group Flock of Seagulls, Billy Idol cameos as himself, and a new $800 tabletop device called a CD player gives great sound (only nobody knows what CDs are).
Sandler is a perennial kids' favorite, thanks to a recurring shtick as a grown man who (mis)behaves like a little boy. This comedy nicely lets Sandler mature a little on-screen, partially by surrounding him with characters significantly dumber and less upstanding than Robbie. Robbie isn't pretentious or stuck on his own gallantry. He's polite in turning down sexual overtures from a Madonna wannabe, and he even tries to convince Glenn to treat Julia better before he realizes that he and Julia are a perfect match.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of Adam Sandler movies. Why are they popular?
How is this movie similar to and different from other movies starring Adam Sandler?
What are some of the ways in which this movie adheres to the typical structure of a romantic comedy?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 14, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : September 14, 2004
- Cast : Adam Sandler , Christine Taylor , Drew Barrymore
- Director : Frank Coraci
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : New Line
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Arts ( Concert , Music and Sing-Along ) , Family Stories , Friendship , Travel
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual content and profanity
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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