Although I'm on the record as not being a fan of Sandler's films, I'm also not oblivious to his talent. He can be charming and funny, and before he became a movie star, Sandler could steal the show from more seasoned veterans. In my 1994 review of "Airheads," I singled him out for providing "big laughs" in an otherwise weak comedy.

But his penchant for the puerile, in particular scatological and sexual humor, tends to undermine everything he does. Even "The Wedding Singer," arguably his best film, is hindered by the occasional poor-taste gag.

So it is that jokes abound about "Zohan's" sexual prowess, especially with his customers, the older women whose hair he styles. (And yet another PG-13 movie that should be R.)

Maybe Sandler's man-child persona isn't an act after all. On the other hand, maybe he's simply content with his blindly loyal fan base.

And why not? Maybe that's enough. Sandler is rich. He's a big star. ... His fans love him.

And perhaps he's confident that, like him, those fans will never grow up.

---

E-mail: hicks@desnews.com