I have seen the French version a couple of times and can only tell you it's a heck of a lot funnier. a lot darker too I admit but that's what makes it funny (and boy it is FUNNY). It has become something of a cult classic in France while its US counterpart has been rightfully so forgotten.
Steve Martin and Adam Sandler are two fine actors but served with so many dumb lines they hardly act above average.
The bigger problem here is that by making a dark humor tale into a feel-good movie most of the jokes fall flat. There's nothing wrong with remakes ('True lies' is s fine example) but squeezing the juice out of a screenplay in order to get a broader audience is just plain wrong.
Go check out the French version.
Steve Martin and Adam Sandler are two fine actors but served with so many dumb lines they hardly act above average.
The bigger problem here is that by making a dark humor tale into a feel-good movie most of the jokes fall flat. There's nothing wrong with remakes ('True lies' is s fine example) but squeezing the juice out of a screenplay in order to get a broader audience is just plain wrong.
Go check out the French version.