Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore: Goofs eternal

I consider myself a bit of a chemist.

Not in the scientific sense, of course. I'm way too stupid for that.

The chemistry I specialise in is on-screen chemistry between actors.

I'm really good at judging its potency, and also determining the whys and wherefores of it.

I'm the only male Twilight fan in existence. That must count for something!

Chemistry can be boiled down to friskiness.

Does the couple look like they're having fun together?

Can you imagine them having even more fun in private?

The couples that work are those who seem as if they're sharing a private joke that the rest of the world will never get.

Exhibit A: Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

They've got a new movie coming out called Blended - their third rom-com collaboration after The Wedding Singer (1998) and 50 First Dates (2004).

In Blended, they play a couple of single parents who end up on vacation together in South Africa.

They ride ostriches!

CHEMISTRY

Sandler and Barrymore might not be the best-looking people in the world, but I'd argue that they have a heck of a lot more chemistry than a lot of super-hot couples.

The thing with super-hot couples is that most times, you know it's just all about the looks, and otherwise they've got nothing else going on.

With Sandler and Barrymore, it's obvious they're just enjoying the heck out of each other.

With his hatchet face, close-cropped hair and angry disposition, Sandler is a lovable curmudgeon.

ADORABLE PIXIE

With her womanly curves, flowing blonde locks and airy-fairy demeanour, Barrymore is an adorable pixie.

He brings out her sassy side.

She brings out his silly side.

I bet there are an awful lot of couples out there who can relate to this vibe.

When I think back to The Wedding Singer, the first thing I remember is Grow Old With You that Sandler sings to Barrymore on the aeroplane.

"I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad / Carry you around when your arthritis is bad / All I wanna do is grow old with you."

So simple, so sweet.

The really cute thing is that the pair really have grown old together.

Sandler is now 47 and Barrymore is 39.

It's been 16 years since The Wedding Singer hit theatres, and during those intervening years they've found spouses and had kids.

They've had ups and downs in their careers, and worked with countless other people. And yet, here they are together again.

That's chemistry.

Money, also. But mostly chemistry.

jjohnson@sph.com.sg

This article was published on May 21 in The New Paper.

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