Grown Ups Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Five middle-aged guys realize they aren’t cool anymore and try to relive their glory days by harassing each other and causing mild property damage during a painfully awkward vacation.

🍿 Grown Ups: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Reunion at the Funeral

Thirty years after winning their junior high basketball championship in 1978, five childhood friends—Lenny, Eric, Kurt, Rob, and Marcus—reunite for the funeral of their beloved coach, Buzzer. Each has navigated adulthood in different ways, from Hollywood success to suburban struggles. The friends decide to spend the Fourth of July weekend together at a lake house, where they once celebrated their championship victory.

Lake House Antics and Family Dynamics

At the lake house, the group attempts to recapture their youth while navigating the challenges of adulthood. Lenny grapples with his privileged children, Eric hides his recent job loss, Kurt deals with his emasculation as a stay-at-home dad, Rob faces his estranged daughters, and Marcus remains a perpetual bachelor. Their interactions are filled with comedic mishaps and nostalgic reminiscing, highlighting the enduring bond between them.

Water Park Chaos and Confrontations

The friends and their families visit a water park, leading to a series of chaotic and humorous situations. Marcus flirts with Rob’s daughters, Eric teaches his son to drink cow’s milk, and the wives attract the attention of a bodybuilder. They also encounter Dickie, Lenny’s childhood rival, leading to a confrontation that foreshadows a future rematch. One of Dickie’s friends, Wiley, ends up severely injured in an accident at the park.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Lenny Feder (Adam Sandler): A successful Hollywood agent who reunites with his childhood friends for a Fourth of July weekend and rediscovers the importance of family.
• Eric Lamonsoff (Kevin James): A formerly successful friend who is overweight and recently laid off, struggling with insecurities about his status.
• Kurt McKenzie (Chris Rock): A stay-at-home dad who feels underappreciated by his wife and mother-in-law.
• Marcus Higgins (David Spade): A perpetually single and heavy-drinking womanizer who reconnects with his childhood friends.
• Rob Hilliard (Rob Schneider): A thrice-divorced, somewhat eccentric man married to a much older woman, seeking connection with his estranged daughters.
• Roxanne Chase-Feder (Salma Hayek): Lenny’s successful fashion designer wife, who initially prioritizes her career but learns the value of family time.
• Dickie Bailey (Colin Quinn): Lenny’s childhood rival, holding a grudge over a basketball game from their youth, eager for a rematch.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Marcus: “You’re gonna need a lot of butter!” – Marcus says this when Rob introduces his unattractive daughter Bridget, implying she is unattractive and will need extra help to be attractive.
• Lenny: “Sometimes I just don’t like my kids.” – Lenny confesses this to Eric, expressing his frustration with his spoiled children.
• Eric: “You peed in the pool?!” – Eric exclaims this with disgust and surprise after realizing Bean has urinated in the pool.
• Roxanne: “We are fashion people!” – Roxanne says this to Lenny, as she is initially prioritizing their trip to Milan for a fashion show over attending the funeral.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $80,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $162,001,186
• Worldwide Gross: $271,457,606

💥 Grown Ups Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a silly Adam Sandler flick, and that’s exactly what I got. The jokes are definitely lowbrow, but I laughed more than I expected. I especially enjoyed the water park scene – the chaos was hilarious! It’s not a cinematic masterpiece, but it was a fun, easy watch for a summer night with friends. I found myself relating to the underlying theme of friendship.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Adam Sandler and his comedic style.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy ensemble comedies with a focus on friendship.”
  • “Those looking for a lighthearted, family-friendly movie.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude humor and some suggestive content.”
  • “Mild language.”
  • “Some scenes may not be suitable for very young children.”

Professional Reviews

• Entertainment Weekly: “Grown Ups throws a bunch of talented comedians together, but the jokes are lazy and predictable, making it a forgettable summer comedy that relies too heavily on tired gags and nostalgic clichés.
• Rolling Stone: “This movie is a waste of talent. The comedians seem to be phoning it in, and the script offers nothing fresh or funny, just a series of predictable jokes that are more groan-inducing than laugh-out-loud hilarious.
• The New York Times: “Despite the ensemble cast’s comedic abilities, Grown Ups lacks genuine laughs and resorts to juvenile humor that fails to resonate. The film feels more like a paid vacation for the actors than a carefully crafted comedy.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between the main cast was the highlight for many viewers.: Most people enjoyed the nostalgic feel and the easy-going humor, making it a decent movie for a casual viewing.

Some found it hilariously funny, while others considered it to be unfunny and predictable.: Many viewers agreed that it’s not the best Adam Sandler movie but can be entertaining if you don’t expect too much.

Overall Consensus: Grown Ups is a polarizing comedy with a strong emphasis on slapstick humor and camaraderie, appealing to some while failing to impress others due to its predictable jokes and thin plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Adam Sandler originally wrote the script in the mid-1990s, with Chris Farley intended for Kevin James’ role. Farley’s death in 1997 put the project on hold for several years.”
• “Many scenes were improvised by the cast, contributing to the film’s natural, conversational feel.”
• “The lakeside house used in the movie is located in Essex, Massachusetts.”

🖥️ How to Watch Grown Ups?

Grown Ups is widely available on demand. You can rent or purchase it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options as well. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) are available for purchase from major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Grown Ups, you might like these similar films:

• The Big Chill (1983): Features a group of college friends reuniting after a funeral and reflecting on their lives and past experiences, creating a similar blend of comedy and drama.
• Meatballs (1979): A summer camp comedy starring Bill Murray, sharing the same silly, lighthearted and nostalgic vibe with a focus on camaraderie.
• This Is 40 (2012): Explores the comedic challenges and tribulations of marriage and family life as a couple approaches middle age, with similar themes of aging and relationships.
• Old School (2003): Centers on a group of adult friends trying to recapture their youth by starting a fraternity, mirroring the themes of nostalgia and resisting adulthood.

🛒 Grown Ups Related Products

• Grown Ups [Blu-ray]: Own the film on Blu-ray for a sharper, more immersive viewing experience. Great for fans who want to relive the laughs and physical comedy with enhanced picture quality.
• Adam Sandler Collection: Enjoy more of Adam Sandler’s classic comedies. This box set includes Grown Ups, Happy Gilmore, The Waterboy, and Big Daddy for hours of non-stop laughter and entertainment.
• Grown Ups Movie Poster: Decorate your space with the official movie poster. This vibrant poster captures the spirit of the film and makes a great addition to any comedy movie lover’s collection.
• Funny T-Shirt: Show off your love for Grown Ups with this ‘I peed in the pool’ printed T-shirt.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Come Back” – performed by The J. Geils Band
• “Brand New Day” – performed by Van Morrison
• “I Want You Back” – performed by The Jackson 5

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Adam Sandler Bought EVERYONE On The Grown Up’s Cast a Car?!? #shorts

Did you know Adam Sandler gifted each main cast member of Grown Ups a car? Watch this short clip to find out more!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qBaI8EzRC64

Honest Trailers – Grown Ups

If you’re a fan of the Honest Trailers series, you won’t want to miss their take on Grown Ups. Prepare for some laughs and a different point of view on the film.

Adam Sandler BUYS MASERATIS to Everyone in the Grown Ups Cast

Here’s another interesting tidbit! This video reveals that Adam Sandler went all out and surprised the cast of Grown Ups with brand new Maseratis.

Behind The Scenes: The Cast of Grown Ups (2010)

Curious about the chemistry between the cast of Grown Ups? This behind-the-scenes video gives you a glimpse into their interactions and the fun they had on set.

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