Adam Sandler Details Jack Nicholson's Unforgettable Reaction To Punch-Drunk Love
Funny-man Adam Sandler and acting legend Jack Nicholson teamed up for the 2003 comedy "Anger Management," bringing together two titans who are extremely good at yelling at other people. The pair were actually friends before working on that film together, and Sandler recounted a run-in he had with the famous star at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
In 2002, following films like "Little Nicky" and "Big Daddy," which garnered some pretty dismal reviews, Sandler set himself up for a really busy year. He had a summer release of "Mr. Deeds," a fall wide release of "Punch-Drunk Love," and a winter release of "Eight Crazy Nights." His first stop, however, was the Cannes Film Festival with "Punch-Drunk," the new film from "Boogie Nights" director Paul Thomas Anderson, before its wide release.
This marked a total career swerve for Sandler. He wasn't just starring in his broad comedies; he was now a dramatic actor to boot. With a little help from a friend, Sandler's new film garnered quite a positive reaction from the audience at the prestigious film festival.
Jack Nicholson helped give Punch-Drunk Love a standing ovation
Adam Sandler stopped by the "Happy, Sad, Confused" podcast and told a story of how Jack Nicholson helped get "Punch-Drunk Love" a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Sandler said he had already had a friendship with Nicholson when he ran into him at Cannes. Sandler was there representing "Punch-Drunk Love," and Nicholson was there with "About Schmidt." When they bumped into each other, Sandler told Nicholson about the movie and that it was playing there.
Sandler recalled the interaction he had with Nicholson after telling him about it, "And he goes, 'I know Sandman, I'm coming. I'm gonna come see it.' He called me Sandman all the time." Sure enough, Sandler spotted Nicholson about 10 seats away from him in the giant theater where "Punch-Drunk" was screening.
Sandler remembered that at the end of the movie, Nicholson stood up and began applauding the film. He said, "Then the rest of the crowd's like, 'Yeah! Nicholson likes it,' so they gave a big standing o[vation]. I'll never forget that." He continued talking about when Nicholson came by his room the following morning with an offering, "I was tired ... my body wasn't on French time yet, and his body can adapt to anything. And he knocked on my door ... I was like, 'Oh? Yeah?' He goes, 'Croissants?'"
Not only did Jack Nicholson help usher in a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, which is no small feat, but he even provided Adam Sandler with some congratulatory breakfast the following morning. Sounds like it was a case of having good friends in high places for Sandler. "Punch-Drunk Love" would end up being one of Sandler's best-reviewed movies to date. Nicholson knew Sandler was onto something with this film.