I grew up on the early Happy Madison Franchise (“O’Doyle rules!”).But this film, Bulletproof, fell under the radar.I’m guessing this is mostly because Adam Sandler was part of a duo rather than carrying the film on his own.The “Disneyland” scene cracked me up.And on the surface, it’s a standard buddy cop comedy.On its own merits, it was a nice way to kill a Friday afternoon while I recuperated from the chaos of chairing a virtual conference.
But…I also discovered it’s pro-single, pro-friendship theme.Damon Wayans plays Jack Carter, an LAPD undercover cop.He’s been bromancing Archie Moses (Sandler), a small-time criminal, in order to get to a big-time drug dealer named Frank Colton.
This bromance has lasted a year, and Carter has genuine platonic feelings for Moses.Of course, this all blows up when he has to reveal his cover, and, in return, Moses shoots Carter, which necessitates physical therapy for him.
Later on, we find out Moses, now a fugitive, is ready to give up his boss in exchange for a reduced sentence.Carter has to accompany him back to the police, and the Odd Couple dynamic ensues, resulting in their inevitable reconciliation.
The pro-single part: Carter falls in love with Tracy, a physical therapist.She turns out to be a femme fatale who’s working for Colton.Of course, they break up, and the two dudes move on and are last seen in Mexico.It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.