Blended (2014)

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore team up for the third time in this lively comedy.

After a terrible blind date, single parents Jim (Adam Sandler) and Lauren (Drew Barrymore) are adamant they won’t be seeing each other again; but fate has other ideas. The pair both decide to treat their kids to an African safari holiday, coincidentally at the same resort, and to make matters worse find themselves thrust together in the very same suite.

The chalk-and-cheese couple have no interest in getting to know each other better, but as their two broods start to bond, they realise they might actually bring out the best in each other.

It’s been ten years since Sandler and Barrymore starred in Hawaii-set romance 50 First Dates, and six more since they first united for retro romcom The Wedding Singer (also directed by Coraci). Their latest effort reflects the time that’s passed, with its leads no longer love-sick singles, but grown-ups with pasts and baggage. The old chemistry is still there, however, and there’s plenty of schmaltzy fun to temper the gross-out gags.