Comedic directors rarely get the same kind of recognition or appreciation that other genres and other directors enjoy. Whether it be horror directors like John Carpenter or dramatic directors like Steven Spielberg, it’s hard to deny that most of the household names are not famous for their contributions to the world of comedy. Perhaps it’s because it seems like one of the most subjective genres — not everyone finds the same things funny — but one thing is for sure: these directors deserve more praise. One such director is Peter Segal. His movies are far from bad, but a few are known for their mixed reception. Still, almost each and every one of his films has managed to make some sort of an impact on the world of comedy. For this reason, it seems important to take a look at his filmography and highlight just how notable it is.
Tommy Boy
Starring Chris Farley and David Spade at the height of their Saturday Night Live fame, 1995’s Tommy Boy is a buddy comedy for the ages. It’s a goofy comedy on the surface, but it also manages to be a surprisingly poignant reflection on life and death and the nature of grief. Chris Farley is one of the most gifted performers to ever grace the world of comedy, and he is a major reason why Tommy Boy remains Segal’s best film to date.
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Get Smart
Based on the classic television show of the same name, Get Smart stars Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Alan Alda, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a spy comedy that harkens back to the physical comedy of the mid-20th century. There’s nothing like goofy gags, hilarious hijinx, and perfect pratfalls to remind an audience how good comedies like this can be (and how good Segal can be behind the camera).
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Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult
The art of the spoof movie seems to have been lost somewhere between the 20th century and the 21st. They were, at least at one time, a genuinely clever way to lampoon an entire genre or franchise with equal parts love and humor. They came from a place of appreciation for the thing they were spoofing, and the Naked Gun movies are no exception. The third film, Naked Gun 33 1/3 (a reference to the speed at which records play), is one of Segal’s best films for its ability to show off some of the best physical comedy of the entire series.
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50 First Dates
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore have proven on more than one occasion to be a great on-screen pairing. Peter Segal’s 50 First Dates is by far their greatest collaboration so far. It’s a sweet and heartfelt movie with a sense of humor, managing to elevate itself above many of Sandler’s other films (and many of Segal’s, as well).
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My Fellow Americans
Focusing on the rivalry between two ex-presidents, My Fellow Americans was released in 1996 but could just as easily take place today. Naturally, as is the case with most movies about two rivals, the two must team up in an unlikely pairing to protect their respective legacies. It’s not super ambitious, but it doesn’t need to be. Its casual comedy proves Segal’s competency as a director.
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Second Act
Released in 2018 and starring Jennifer Lopez, Second Act follows a woman who gets another shot at life when a friend creates a fake resume and credentials for her in order to score her a high-stakes corporate job. The movie was relatively well-received, with critics praising Lopez’s performance in the charming romantic comedy.
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Anger Management
A third collaboration between Sandler and Segal, Anger Management stars the comedian alongside Jack Nicholson as a businessman with anger problems and a court-ordered therapist who specializes in anger management, respectively. It’s not as goofy as some of Sandler’s other films, but it’s simply not as good or as memorable as some of Sandler’s best works. Still, Segal’s strength as a comedic director never waivers.
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The Longest Yard
Adam Sandler makes many films with Segal — some say they enjoy them more than other Sandler films because the comedian has nothing to do with the writing, but it’s possible Segal just understands how to get a good performance out of the actor. The Longest Yard — a remake of the Burt Reynolds comedy of the same name — is kind of polarizing, with some feeling that Sandler and Chris Rock are a good pairing, while others believe the movie fails to live up to the original.
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Grudge Match
Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone as old boxing rivals who decide to fight one last match sounds like the recipe for a winning sports comedy. Unfortunately, the movie is so clichéd and cheap it fails on nearly every level. The only thing going for it is the strength of its leads. More than anything, Grudge Match feels hugely disappointing.
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Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Nobody really had a problem with Eddie Murphy’s remake of the comedy classic The Nutty Professor — reviews were generally positive and it made quite a lot of money at the box office. Naturally, a sequel was made. Unfortunately, it is an abysmal failure. Murphy plays eight different characters (an undoubtedly impressive feat), but the gimmick never manages to result in a good movie.
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