Adam Sandler’s New Film Promotes Statutory Rape

Happy Madison’s newest film, “That’s My Boy”, slated for a Father’s Day release, and follows the story of a 13-year-old boy fathering the child of his middle school teacher.

“That’s My Boy”, starring Adam Sandler s the grown-up 13-year-old, and Andy Samberg as his grown son, is already stirring up a lot of controversy. Is statutory rape an acceptable topic for a comedic film? Should films be continuing to reinforce the “cool factor” surrounding young students having sex with their good-looking teachers?

In the most recent trailer for “That’s My Boy”, 13-year-old Donny is seen ogling his 30-something beautiful teacher as she walks in slow motion down the school’s hallway. A couple seconds later, she touches her cleavage while staring at the young boy seductively. Luckily, the trailer doesn’t include the actual sex scene (and I assume the movie doesn’t either). Instead, the trailer cuts to a courtroom scenario where Donny’s teacher/lover is being sent to prison, while screaming, “Take care of our baby, Donny!”

Critics are definitely having issues not only with the trailer, but the film’s theme and message overall.

Dan Gainor, VP of Business and Culture for the Media Research Center says, “Hollywood is becoming so dysfunctional that it can’t even produce humor without being crass and twisted… Since when did child molestation and rape become the stuff of humor.”?

“That would have been billed as a tragedy. I hope the film ends with the teacher (if released from prison) registering as a sex offender. These crimes are grossly under reported because our society encourages this double standard,” Psychotherapist Dr. Nancy Irwin says, explaining the double standard if the genders had been reversed. “I am gravely concerned about the message and tacit permission teenage males will take away from irresponsible filmmaking like this. Children from this sort of relationship frequently have issues to sort through that are far from funny.”

“This as a concept for a movie is truly revolting. It reinforces the idea that is cool to f**k your teacher. Actually for a young boy the experience is dreadful and confusing,” a potential filmgoer commented on the board under the posted trailer.

However entertainment reporter, Jenn Hoffman disagrees. She believes that “no premise goes too far” where art is concerned.

“As a profession it's up to artists, comedians and writers to push boundaries, challenge social norms and explore topics other people are too afraid to broach,” she added. “Then, since this is America, we get to show praise or criticism of artistic concepts with our wallets, which is one of the founding principles of capitalism.”

“That’s My Boy” is rated R for crude sexual content, nudity, pervasive language and some drug use. It will be in theatres nationwide on Father’s Day.