by James Bregman BBC News Online

The pair bounce off each other perfectly

Anger Management revived the US box office earlier this year after a slump in profits and now it hopes to emulate its success in the UK.

This film is about as lightweight as movie comedy gets, but the laugh-count is satisfyingly high.

The dream partnership of Jack Nicholson and Adam Sandler was always going to be the film's chief selling point.

Fortunately there is plenty more to it than a casting coup, and the end result is a likeable and hugely undemanding comedy.

Sandler plays mild-mannered New Yorker Dave Buznik, who gets into a spot of bother on board a plane.

In a marvellous scene with some surprisingly politically-incorrect references to 9-11, Dave is harshly accused of attacking a stewardess, gets stun-gunned by an air marshal and ends up in court.

Opting for therapy instead of jail, Dave finds himself at the hands of anger management specialist Dr Buddy Rydell (Nicholson).

Tomei (left) plays the obligatory love interest

It swiftly becomes clear that Buddy is not simply unorthodox but barking mad, and Dave's very sanity is threatened when he is convicted of further anger "offences" and prescribed 24 hour-a-day live-in surveillance from the good doctor.

As so often before, Nicholson steals the show simply by turning up.

He is as superb as ever, and Sandler wisely sticks to being the straight man, letting Jack wallow in the limelight in all his demented eyebrow-arching glory.

Adding considerable extra value is an impressive supporting cast - John Turturro and Luis Guzman ham it up unrestrainedly as more of Nicholson's psychotic patients, as does Woody Harrelson in the guise of a transvestite prostitute.

Rather more surprising are a couple of cameos from non-acting celebrities, used to hilarious effect in the closing stages.

Anger Management drags at some points, and the obligatory love story element, involving Marisa Tomei as Dave's girlfriend, is distinctly banal.

But the jokes come thick and fast enough to paper the cracks in the rather scant storyline.

Be under absolutely no illusions - this is the kind of film that embraces gags about overweight animals, well-endowed men and blind people suffering injuries - but you would struggle not to find yourself laughing at plenty of it.

Anger Management is released in the UK on Friday.

Have you seen the film?

This debate is now closed. Please see below for a selection of your comments.

A typical Adam Sandler movie but it's a good one which is rare for Adam Sandler. Jack Nicholson is great and some hilarious cameos.
Joey, UK

It is material worthy of the Three Stooges - and I mean that as the highest possible compliment.
Robert del Valle, USA

If your idea of humour is watching Adam Sandler give a Buddhist monk a wedgie then this movie is for you. If on the other hand you have an IQ that has reached double figures I recommend you give this lame comedy a wide birth.
Andy K, UK

Just another forgettably predictable comedy. Cliches abound. have no idea why the actors involved would agree to do this film.
Katie, Australia

Very contrived; I didn't laugh once, but my 14-year-old son was on the floor in stitches!
Trevor, USA

A funny, funny movie! Nicholson is just a superstar. His facial expressions just cracked me up at times. Don't think Buddy Rydell's chat-up line would work in London though.
Richard, UK

Jack Nicholson, John Turturro, Luis Guzman and John C. Reilly are wasted as Adam Sandler and Marisa Tomei drag them to their banal depths. Cliched premises, and a cop out ending with a predictable twist made this film a waste of time, effort and money for all concerned. Desperately unfunny.
Caroline, UK

Cerebral, polemic and pants-wettingly funny - this is the only way to describe Anger Management. This summer's must see movie next to the Matrix Revolutions.
Nick, North Wales

What a lot of rubbish and a waste of my time watching it.
David, UK

Laughed the whole way through, very funny! I did think that the end was slightly cheesy but great for Sunday afternoon viewing.
Liv, UK

In my experience the majority of people either love or hate Adam Sandler films. If you like them you will love this as it is definately one of his best, if you don't it is probably best to stay away.
Neil, UK

This is in no way a comedy. It is a very shoddily made thing which should barely qualify as a film. The only possible reason to see it is to witness its shameless propaganda both for the US army and New York.

A bizarre and entirely unfunny experience that, ironically, left me awash with rage.

I can only presume Mr Bregman must have been drunk or otherwise under the influence when watching it as, even in an audience full of people desperate for a laugh (most were students in the middle of exams) there were very few titters...
Nicola, UK