Anger Management Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A meek guy gets tormented by Jack Nicholson because…therapy?

🍿 Anger Management: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Airplane Incident

Dave Buznik, a mild-mannered businessman, encounters a series of unfortunate events on a flight, leading to his arrest. A misunderstanding involving a flight attendant and a sky marshal results in Dave being wrongly accused of assault. This sets the stage for his mandated anger management therapy.

Unorthodox Therapy Begins

Dave is sentenced to anger management therapy under the unconventional Dr. Buddy Rydell. Buddy’s methods are abrasive and often exacerbate Dave’s frustration. The therapy sessions involve a group of eccentric individuals with their own anger issues.

Buddy Moves In

After a bar fight, Dave’s situation worsens, and he’s ordered to undergo intensive therapy with Buddy, who moves into his apartment. Buddy’s presence disrupts every aspect of Dave’s life, challenging his relationships and career. This leads to increasingly absurd and comical situations.

Confronting the Past

Buddy forces Dave to confront past traumas, including a childhood incident involving a bully. This leads to a confrontation at a Buddhist temple, highlighting the absurdity of Buddy’s methods. Dave begins to show signs of standing up for himself.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dave Buznik (Adam Sandler): A mild-mannered businessman forced into anger management who learns to assert himself.
• Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson): An unorthodox and confrontational anger management therapist with questionable methods.
• Linda (Marisa Tomei): Dave’s loving girlfriend who is concerned about his inability to express his emotions.
• Chuck (John Turturro): An extremely angry and volatile member of Buddy’s anger management group.
• Frank Head (Kurt Fuller): Dave’s abrasive and credit-stealing boss who constantly undermines him.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Buddy Rydell: “Let me explain something to you, Dave. There are two kinds of angry people in this world: explosive and implosive. Explosive is the kind of individual you see screaming at the cashier for not taking their coupons. Implosive is the cashier who remains quiet day after day and finally shoots everyone in the store.” – Buddy explains his theory of anger to Dave during one of their early therapy sessions.
• Dave Buznik: “No, no, no. I’m the guy hiding in the frozen food section dialling 911. I swear.” – Dave responds, trying to convince Buddy that he is not an angry person.
• Dr. Buddy Rydell: “You’ve got to learn to let it go, Dave. Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” – Buddy gives Dave a classic anger management analogy, demonstrating a rare moment of genuine insight.
• Dr. Buddy Rydell: “Goosfraba.” – Buddy teaches Dave a nonsensical word as a calming technique.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $75,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $135,645,823
• Worldwide Gross: $195,745,823

💥 Anger Management Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this in high school and thinking it was hilarious, but now it feels a bit dated. Jack Nicholson is incredible, as always, and his scenes with Sandler are comedy gold, especially their rendition of ‘I Feel Pretty’. However, the plot gets pretty silly towards the end, and some of the jokes haven’t aged well. Still, it’s a fun, mindless comedy if you’re in the mood for that.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Adam Sandler’s comedic style”
  • “Viewers who appreciate Jack Nicholson’s performances”
  • “People looking for a lighthearted comedy with some crude humor”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor and sexual references”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Suggestive situations”
  • “Depictions of anger and aggression”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Jack Nicholson’s performance elevates this Adam Sandler comedy, turning potentially stale jokes into memorable moments. While the plot occasionally meanders, the chemistry between the leads provides consistent laughs. The film’s exploration of anger is surface-level, but the overall comedic experience is enjoyable.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “While Nicholson’s eccentric performance is a highlight, ‘Anger Management’ suffers from predictable Sandler-esque humor and a convoluted plot. The movie struggles to find a balance between its comedic and thematic elements, resulting in a mixed and often uninspired final product.

Audience Reactions

Nicholson’s over-the-top performance is unforgettable and steals every scene.: Viewers generally agree that Jack Nicholson’s performance is the highlight and main reason to watch.

The therapy group scenes provide some genuinely funny and relatable moments.: The supporting cast is very funny

Overall Consensus: A decent comedy mainly carried by Jack Nicholson’s performance but hindered by a predictable plot and some outdated humor.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jack Nicholson ad-libbed many of his lines, adding to the unpredictable and chaotic nature of Dr. Buddy Rydell.”
• “The scene where Dave and Buddy sing “I Feel Pretty” was initially conceived as a much shorter moment, but Sandler and Nicholson improvised and expanded it, turning it into one of the film’s most memorable scenes.”
• “Rudy Giuliani, then the Mayor of New York City, made a cameo appearance, showcasing the city’s support for the production.”
• “During filming at Yankee Stadium, the cast and crew were given a tour of the facilities by the stadium’s management.”

🖥️ How to Watch Anger Management?

Anger Management is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable and satellite providers. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) may also be available for purchase online or at retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Anger Management, you might like these similar films:

• What About Bob? (1991): Shares the theme of an unconventional and disruptive therapist inserting himself into a patient’s life, creating comedic chaos.
• Analyze This (1999): Another comedy centered around therapy, with a mob boss seeking psychiatric help, leading to humorous situations.
• As Good as It Gets (1997): Features Jack Nicholson in another role as a difficult and eccentric character who undergoes a transformation, although in a more dramatic context.
• The Shrink Next Door (2021): A dark comedy series about a psychiatrist who manipulates and takes over the life of his patient.

🛒 Anger Management Related Products

• Anger Management [Blu-ray]: High-definition Blu-ray release of the movie, offering superior picture and sound quality for a more immersive viewing experience.
• Official Anger Management Therapy Group T-Shirt: Show your love for the movie with this t-shirt with an image of Buddy Rydell and the members of the therapy group. Great conversation starter and a must-have for any fan.
• The Ultimate Jack Nicholson Collection [DVD]: A collection featuring some of Jack Nicholson’s most iconic films, showcasing his legendary acting career.
• Funny Anger Management Novelty Gag Gift Stress Relief Balls: Great to have around to deal with frustration.

🎧 Soundtrack

Anger Management features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Heart of Glass” – performed by Blondie
• “La Grange” – performed by ZZ Top

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

‘Anger Management’ (2003): Hilarious Scene

Check out this laugh-out-loud scene from ‘Anger Management’ where Dr. Rydell teaches Dave a unique way to handle his anger. Prepare to witness Adam Sandler at his comedic best!

‘Anger Management’ (2003): ‘I Feel Pretty’ Scene

Don’t miss this iconic scene from ‘Anger Management’ where Jack Nicholson leads Adam Sandler in an impromptu musical moment. It’s a hilarious and heartwarming display of their on-screen chemistry.

✨ Rate