Review of You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah: Adam Sandler Introduces Daughter Sunny in Netflix Charming Coming of Age Comedy

Adam Sandler • Sunny Sandler • Netflix • Sadie Sandler • Bar and bat mitzvah: In the realm of Netflix's latest offering, "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah," designed unmistakably as a launchpad for two offspring of Hollywood royalty, it surprisingly avoids becoming the vacuous endeavor it could have been. This glossy Netflix feature stars Sunny, the younger daughter of Adam Sandler, as Stacy Friedman, a 13-year-old on the cusp of her Bat Mitzvah, the Jewish rite of passage into adolescence. It's a polished, sanitized take on the tumultuous teenage years.

This cinematic venture leaves no room for jagged edges, despite its ambition to portray teenagers navigating a perplexing phase in their lives as multi-dimensional individuals grappling with internal conflicts and complicated relationships with peers and parents. Adam Sandler himself makes sporadic appearances as the heroine's father, dispensing morsels of wisdom in his signature deadpan style. Mostly, though, he offers moral support to his real-life daughter as she takes her initial strides into the family trade.

Indeed, this film is a family affair. Sandler's wife, Jackie, plays a supporting role, and their elder daughter, Sadie, appears as Stacy's sister. It's akin to if both Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan were to feature in Suhana Khan's debut film, sprinkled with cameos by Aryan and AbRam. Intriguing, right? Provided, of course, it's executed with authenticity rather than cynicism. To a significant extent, director Sammi Cohen manages to pull it off in "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah."

For Sunny's character, Stacy, the Bat Mitzvah ceremony itself pales in comparison to the grand party that follows. After all, it's at this gathering where she'll have the opportunity to catch the eye of the most handsome boy in seventh grade. To her, the Bat Mitzvah appears as nothing more than a divine homework assignment, as she puts it, "Okay, it is to you, and old people, and God and stuff."

However, for a typical girl like Stacy, who admits she's neither popular nor a social outcast, a successful Bat Mitzvah ceremony could be the key to a brighter future. So, she assembles a mood board adorned with images of Dua Lipa and Olivia Rodrigo, embarking on a mission. Naturally, she soon realizes that her dream Bat Mitzvah is far from attainable. Along this journey, Stacy discovers that genuine growing pains aren't experienced during a public recital of the Torah, but rather in her evolving relationships with those around her.

Beyond being a teen drama centered on young love, "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah" offers a heartwarming exploration of female friendship. In many aspects, it bears resemblance to the recent film "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret," another coming-of-age comedy that appears to have been named without much consideration for SEO optimization. This is understandable since the source material was penned in the 1970s. That film, revolving around a 12-year-old girl's journey to grasp her Jewish identity, primarily delved into theological questions. "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah" briefly flirts with these themes as well.

One of Sunny's classmates boldly questions their rabbi, "If God exists, how do you explain climate change?" Seizing the opportunity, another student ponders, "If God loves me, why is he always giving me so many zits?" A third chimes in, "Why does Apple keep changing chargers?" These queries also provide insight into the film's tone and target audience. It's tailored specifically to young girls, with the assumption that parents might also tune in occasionally. With that goal in mind, director Sammi Cohen steers the ship with a youthful exuberance that may not always be the wisest choice. While it's intended for a youthful audience, it doesn't mean it should feel like it was made by one.

Cohen infuses such hyperactive energy into the film that at times, it feels like a whirlwind reel fueled solely by Red Bulls on an empty stomach. As with all sugary indulgences, there's inevitably a crash that follows. Nevertheless, within the film's hyper-specific portrayal of the Jewish teen experience, there lies a universality that makes "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah" a worthwhile watch.