"Click": There's nothing remotely funny here

We've all wanted to hit the mute button on real life, be it a yakking mate, a loudmouthed stranger or a stupid boss. That not-very-original mime joke is taken to its literal extreme in "Click," a grim vehicle for the lowbrow comedic talents of Adam Sandler.

Even with its attempt at deeper meaning and visual flair, those who don't look forward to Sandler's infantile humor and vacuous screen persona will find "Click" exceptionally bad entertainment.

Both Sandler and the movie are empty-headed and unfunny. Worse is a maudlin atmosphere that takes over at random moments throughout, crescendoing in an operatic finale of unearned emotion and bad acting.

The harried father of two adorable children and husband of a neglected hottie wife (Kate Beckinsale), Michael Newman (Sandler) is a workaholic architect who never has enough time for anything, especially his family.

Movie review

Showtimes and trailer

"Click," with Adam Sandler, Kate Beckinsale, Christopher Walken, David Hasselhoff, Henry Winkler, Julie Kavner, Sean Astin. Directed by Frank Coraci, from a screenplay by Steve Koren and Mark O'Keefe. 108 minutes. Rated PG-13 for language, crude and sex-related humor, and some drug references. Several theaters.

He also can't master the variety of remote controls scattered around the house. Literally sick and tired late one night, he bizarrely determines to remedy the situation by going out in search of a single device to manage the TV, garage door, ceiling fan and myriad toys scattered about the house.

Even more bizarre is his discovery in a suburban strip mall that Best Buy is closed, but Bed Bath & Beyond is open and bustling with shoppers. In a peculiar bit of product placement, he enters an inner sanctum of the store labeled "Way Beyond," where he finds Christopher Walken, a mysterious imp who provides him with a super-ergonomic mechanism that gives new meaning to universal remote. (Those keen on contrived plot points will take note when Michael discovers a real bed in the store.)

It's not hard to fill in the blanks as "fast-forward," "pause" and "mute," along with DVD commands like "menu," "chapter" and "commentary," are applied to Michael's real life. Pretty soon it's 30 years later, and he's missed the best parts as remote control becomes out-of-control.

As much as the story wants to be amusing and emotionally affecting, all it really cares about is the carefully composed tableau of Adam Sandler farting with his butt poised inches from David Hasselhoff's face.

Sadly, this is not the most repulsive image in "Click." There's also a running gag about dogs with an unnatural sexual desire for an oversized plush toy duck.

Where's the "off" button when you need it?

Ted Fry: tedfry@hotmail.com