Adam Sandler's 'Spanglish' Is Streaming on Netflix in February

Adam Sandler is a comedic heavy hitter in the industry. His prolific career in the 1990s and 2000s saw him starring in so many movies that some gems inevitably slipped through the cracks of mainstream popularity. But the times are a-changin’ and, thanks to the rise of streaming services, a whole new generation gets to witness Sandler at his best. Spanglish, a rom-com from 2004, is the latest to join the lineup, arriving on Netflix on Feb. 1.

Spanglish tells the story of Flor (Paz Vega), a Mexican immigrant and devoted single mother who does not speak English. She takes a job as a housekeeper for the affluent Clasky family, which consists of John, a Los Angeles chef and the family patriarch, Deborah, his wife and former businesswoman, their children Bernice and Georgie, and Deborah’s mother, Evelyn, a retired singer. The new gig, personal revelations, and cultural clashes cause Flor to go through a lot of dysfunction, and she ends up developing an unexpected bond with John. The official plot description reads:

“Flor, a Mexican single mother, works as a housekeeper for Deborah and John, a couple. Amid cultural clashes, raising their children and building relations, they discover new ways of facing problems.”

The film’s a lighthearted story about finding common ground in the most unlikely of places and, under the direction of James L. Brooks, it combines humor and romance in the most refreshing ways. What makes Spanglish stand out is not the realistic ending or the superb dialogue, but the acting performances of Paz Vega and Adam Sandler. Vega is great as Flor and Sandler delivers a subtle and nuanced performance as John. They’re supported by Téa Leoni as his neurotic, self-absorbed wife and Cloris Leachman as the family’s eccentric grandmother. Spanglish has a rotten approval rating of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics pointing out inconsistencies in the plot and awkward character dynamics. Regardless, it’s an adored favorite among fans.

Adam Sandler’s Long-Term Relationship With Rom-Coms

While Sandman’s career has spanned a wide range of genres, from raunchy comedies and dramatic thrillers, his longest-running love affair has been with romantic comedies. After breaking out in the early ‘90s with movies like The Wedding Singer, starring alongside Drew Barrymore, Sandler quickly established himself as a leading man in the genre. He then went on to star in the endlessly quotable 50 First Dates, also with Barrymore, Just Go With It, with Jennifer Aniston, and Punch-Drunk Love, opposite Emily Watson. Spanglish firmly sits among those 2000s romantic comedy titles as perhaps the most underrated of them all.

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As Sandler’s career evolved, he continued to explore the rom-com space through the eyes of quirky characters and heartwarming stories. His relatable, everyman charm is what highlights his enduring popularity with fans. Now that the highly anticipated sequel to Happy Gilmore, also coming to Netflix, is on the horizon, there has never been a better time to revisit some of Sandler’s most impressive films, particularly the very underrated Spanglish.