The stated opening weekend is $41.5 million and domestic total $163 million, making it his biggest 1990s film.
The cited reception scores are 40% Rotten Tomatoes and 41/100 Metacritic.
Sandler met his future wife Jackie on the film; her waitress role began a pattern of cameos.
Scuba Steve was invented for the film.
Allen Covert is described as Sandler’s NYU friend and a recurring collaborator in twenty-five films.
This was the last Sandler comedy before Happy Madison Productions was founded.
Dylan and Cole Sprouse played the child; their Friends and Disney careers are recalled.
Hand pumps simulated the urination scenes.
Syracuse references include a familiar local bar, prompting comparison with Holy Cross haunts.

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:20:10Read transcript

Roger Ebert gave one and a half stars and objected to Sonny teaching a child antisocial behavior.

Why no Everclear “Father of Mine” on the soundtrack?; formal segment canceled

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 00:43:28Read transcript

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 00:48:21Read transcript

Bill Murray and Jack Nicholson were allegedly considered for the lead; Murray is intriguing.

Age-inappropriate TV; delivery man’s illiteracy; absent father; changed attitude toward child; unaffordable lifestyle

In the discussion (5)

Approx. transcript time · 00:54:59Read transcript

The five-year-old watches programs aimed at substantially younger children.
Rob Schneider’s character’s inability to read is questioned as a comic premise.
Stewart’s character remains in China after learning a child has been left at his home.
Leslie Mann’s character’s eventual acceptance of the child seems inconsistent with her earlier opposition.
A $200,000 settlement and minimal tollbooth work cannot plausibly sustain Sonny’s New York apartment and lifestyle.