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OK, we got it. We know Adam Sandler‘s managed to redeem himself and drift past his questionable films, earning a reputation for dramatic area. His performances are grounded, almost too honest and tragic to a certain extent. His characters have the worst luck in the world, and only occasionally are they able to overcome God-ordained circumstances. Or the Devil.

In Jeremiah Zagar‘s He pushes, the Jewish comedian from Brooklyn confronts aging and the burnout that sometimes comes with it. An international scout for the Philadelphia 76ers, he lives his life on the road. This causes him to distance himself from his family. But unfortunately, the team owner put an end to that and decided that Stanley should be an assistant coach from now on.

However, the team’s owner and Stanley’s mentor has passed away, leaving the team in the hands of his son. He’s a terrible businessman who orders Stanley to get back on the road to find the team’s next big star. Stanley arrives in Spain and finds the guy in a city pick-up game. Bo Cruz now has the chance to turn his life around and become the player he’s always wanted to be.

This is when He pushes it really begins. Born unintentionally, Stanley is reborn when he finds light in a job he honestly didn’t want. His motivation to turn Cruz into an NBA draft sure isn’t one of honor. At first it comes from his tiredness, then he sees the talent of a young player, whom he does stupid things because of his anger. The dynamic of their relationship stems from Cruz not knowing that it’s all over for Stanley. This is the last step in his life as he has made a bet he cannot afford.

As for sports movies, He pushes corresponds to the formula It’s not actually based on a true story, but the screenwriters keep their story down to earth and never embellish the story with an impossible victory or a climactic third act. This story is about perseverance. It just comes late sometimes, and sometimes you just need to lower the bar to find your true place in the game.

He pushes a very sweet story about perseverance. But also about faith, which only comes when you believe in the impossible and follow your dreams. But it’s not unrealistic. Sandler’s character and performance have never been more real, and even if you think the movie is a basketball fairy tale, watch the ending. One that doesn’t necessarily end in the best way for either of them. I don’t like to see “messages” in movies, but if there is one He pushesI’d say it’s a friendship made in unlikely places.

Sandler is one of those actors who doesn’t need to be nominated for anything to believe that he’s fantastic in the roles he’s meant to play. The irony is that not just anyone can do comedy, but comedian roles are so common that it seems anyone can do them for the right amount of money. Well, Stanley Sugerman? I can’t see anyone but Sandler playing the hapless prospector who finds gold and a friend in an unexpected place.

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