Despite Adam Sandler (Murder Mystery and Big Daddy) becoming one of the kings of comedy, this week he has returned to Netflix with Spaceman, where he showcases his talent for dramatic films and deep emotions.
The comedian, director and producer was not the only one to star in the movie; he was accompanied by Carey Mulligan in the role of Lenka, Paul Dano giving voice to Hanus and Kunal Nayyar as Peter, among others.
Johan Renck (Chernobyl and Breaking Bad) directed the film, while Colby Day adapted the screenplay, which is based on the science fiction novel “Spaceman of Bohemia”, written by Jaroslav Kalfar in 2017.
Spaceman is the new No. 2 movie on Netflix US
Spaceman is Netflix‘s new movie that has not only become the second most-watched in the United States but also seems to be heading towards dominating the Top 10 in a very short time, especially considering how it has been accumulating viewers.
According to Flix Patrol, Adam Sandler‘s drama has managed to surpass other popular titles on the platform, such as Tyler Perry’s Mea Culpa and Code 8 with Stephen Amell and Robbie Amell.
The story follows Jakub Procházka, an orphan raised in the countryside by his grandparents, who overcomes all adversities and becomes the country’s first astronaut. The comedian brings the main character to life, while Paul Dano voices a mysterious creature named Hanuš.
The movie explores loneliness and all the emotional challenges behind a space mission. As the protagonist realizes that the marriage he left behind may not be waiting for him upon his return to Earth, he struggles to repair his relationship with his wife, portrayed by Carey Mulligan.
Johan Renck explained why Sandler was perfect for the role
Adam Sandler delivered a rather unsettling and unconventional performance in the film, but his brilliant acting was one of the elements highlighted by Johan Renck during an interview with Screen Rant, where he also affirmed that the actor was the perfect choice for the role.
“You can never know anything, but I had a very, very good feeling. I’m a big fan of his. I love his versatility. He can be anything, from silly and goofy humor to sophisticated and cool humor and everything in between. And then, obviously, when he plays more dramatic roles, like in Punch-Drunk Love or the Safdie brothers’ movie and stuff like that, you see his technical skills.
But what I felt was that, to some extent, there’s an opportunity that you can seize, and the fact that a comedian, if you want someone that everyone recognizes as genuinely funny, if you just take off the mask and the clown shoes and all that kind of stuff, I think you would perceive that person as more vulnerable than if you did the same with someone who only does very dramatic roles.
And I think we’ve seen that with Peter Sellers in Being There, for example, in the past, or with Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine, is another good example that there’s nothing of that funny stuff happening, but you feel so much for the person because it’s almost like they’ve undressed for you”, confessed the director.