Issue date: 4/18/03 Section: The Verge

The first thing you learn from "Anger Management," is that no matter how insane the proportions of your wrath may be, simply reciting, "Gooz Fah-Bah," will make everything (instantly!) better. If that fails, launch into "I Feel Pretty."

This new Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler movie opened April 11. I'd been seeing previews for this for the last couple of months, teased by the possibility of these two longtime comedic firecrackers united in one movie. How can one screen hold all that charisma?

The premise was a guaranteed formula for mayhem: a repressed, unassertive man, Dave Buznik, goes to court for an alleged "assault" on a female flight attendant while on a business flight, and is sentenced to 30 days of anger management therapy.

Unfortunately for him, Dr. Buddy Rydell, his therapist, employs largely unorthodox methods for treatment, such as moving in with his patient unannounced, and insisting on going to work with him, for "round the clock care."

Now, as much as I loved this movie, there is one downfall I'm willing to admit. It's just not the cream of the crop as far as Adam Sandler movies are concerned. It's definitely not in the running with such greats as "Billy Madison," or my favorite, "Big Daddy." Gone are all of his trademark ridiculous character voices and sporadic bouts of insanity -- rather, he's a gargantuan doormat who has never stood up to anyone in his life.

It's all about Jack, as far as "Anger Management" is concerned.

Who else can pull off going to the Oscars in sunglasses, with a gorgeous woman probably one-third his age, snapping his gum in delight the whole time as countless actors give a shout out to him in their acceptance speeches?

After delivering a heralded performance demonstrating enormous restraint in "About Schmidt," devoid of all his classic "Jackisms," such as the waggling eyebrows, the devilish grin and a swaggering ego the size of Russia. It was tremendously refreshing to see them all back in full force, more hilarious than ever in the character of Dr. Buddy Rydell, anger management counselor for a support group called "Fury Fighters."

The cast is phenomenal. Marisa Tomei is great as Sandler's longtime sweetheart Linda, a poetry teacher who endures her boyfriend's unhealthy anger/jealousy problems and his quirky squeamishness about kissing in public. I wondered again and again just how this lame guy whose biggest passion is designing clothes for his obese cat, Meatball, managed to snag a girlfriend like this.

Between the group sessions with the other members of "Fury Fighters," Dave's easily provoked "Anger Ally," Chuck, an impressive duet rendition of "I Feel Pretty," and a German she-male hooker named Galaxia, comedy is definitely covered.

All the best lines are just classic Jack, augmented by the beret and goatee.

Such as when Dr. Rydell addresses Dave's boss, Mr. Head, and says, "Might I have your first name, and please tell me it's not Dick," and later references to "a guy who looks like he could satisfy a blue whale," aka, "the Testicle with Legs."

Go see this movie to indulge in the genius of Jack, Marisa and "Gooz Fah-Bah."

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