Click (2006) is a comedy-drama with a sci-fi twist directed by Frank Coraci and starring Adam Sandler. On the surface, it’s a funny film about a man with a magical remote control, but underneath, it’s a surprisingly emotional story about time, regret, and the choices we make.
Detailed Summary
The Everyday Chaos of Michael Newman
Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) is a hardworking architect struggling to balance his job with his family life. He’s married to the loving and patient Donna (Kate Beckinsale) and has two kids, Ben and Samantha. Michael dreams of becoming a partner at his firm but constantly feels overlooked and undervalued by his boss, Ammer (David Hasselhoff). His life is a whirlwind of stress, deadlines, and missed family moments.
Enter Morty and the Universal Remote
During a frustrating night of work, Michael goes to Bed Bath & Beyond to buy a universal remote. There, he meets Morty (Christopher Walken), a bizarre but charismatic inventor who gives him a special “universal remote control” that can control not just devices—but his entire life.
Michael soon discovers he can pause, rewind, fast-forward, and mute his real-world experiences. At first, it’s fun: he skips arguments, pauses annoying people, and replays happy moments. The comedy here is classic Sandler—absurd, chaotic, and loaded with slapstick energy.
The Temptation of Fast-Forwarding Life
As Michael’s career pressures mount, he begins using the remote to skip over stressful parts—traffic jams, illnesses, long meetings, even arguments with Donna. However, the remote has a sinister feature: it begins learning from his behavior, automatically skipping anything it predicts he wouldn’t enjoy.
Years start to slip by. Michael fast-forwards through years of his life without realizing it. He wakes up to find that his children are grown, his marriage has deteriorated, and he’s become estranged from his family—all while becoming a wealthy executive.
The Price of Skipping Time
Michael’s health suffers, and his father (played by Henry Winkler) passes away during a period he had fast-forwarded. When he tries to use the remote to rewind, Morty informs him that rewinding doesn’t change the past—it’s merely a replay. Morty cryptically hints that he’s more than just a store clerk, leaving Michael—and the audience—uneasy about what’s really going on.
As the story turns darker, Michael realizes that while he achieved professional success, he lost everything that truly mattered.
Movie Ending
Michael wakes up overweight, divorced, and completely alienated from his children. His son Ben has become just like him—work-obsessed and neglectful. Michael’s health continues to deteriorate, and during a rain-soaked family reunion, he collapses in front of his ex-wife and children.
In his final moments, lying on the wet pavement, Michael uses his last strength to tell his son:
“Family comes first.”
It’s an emotional gut punch—this moment transforms what began as a goofy comedy into a full-blown tragic reflection on life choices.
Then suddenly, Michael wakes up—back in Bed Bath & Beyond. The entire experience seems to have been a dream. Morty reappears, revealing himself as the Angel of Death, giving Michael a second chance to live his life differently.
Michael rushes home to his family, cherishing every moment. This time, he chooses not to fast-forward through life but to truly live it.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Click does not have any post-credits scenes. The story concludes with Michael’s redemption and realization, and the credits roll immediately after the final heartfelt moment.
Type of Movie
Click is a dramedy (comedy + drama) with fantasy and science fiction elements. It starts as a lighthearted Adam Sandler comedy and slowly evolves into a surprisingly emotional morality tale about time, priorities, and the dangers of living life on autopilot.
Cast
- Adam Sandler as Michael Newman
- Kate Beckinsale as Donna Newman
- Christopher Walken as Morty
- David Hasselhoff as Ammer
- Sean Astin as Bill
- Henry Winkler as Ted Newman
- Julie Kavner as Trudy Newman
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams, known for his emotional yet lighthearted compositions. The film also features recognizable songs like “Linger” by The Cranberries and “(They Long to Be) Close to You” by The Carpenters, which reinforce the film’s nostalgic and emotional beats.
Filming Locations
The movie was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California, with additional scenes shot in Pasadena and Santa Clarita. These familiar suburban and office settings were chosen deliberately to reflect the average middle-class American lifestyle—a life of commutes, cubicles, and constant rushing, which plays into the film’s main theme.
Awards and Nominations
- Academy Award Nomination (2007): Best Makeup (for aging effects on Adam Sandler and other characters)
- Teen Choice Award Nomination: Choice Movie – Comedy
- People’s Choice Award Nomination: Favorite Movie Comedy
Though Click received mixed reviews from critics, audiences appreciated its emotional depth and surprising message.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Adam Sandler reportedly cried during the scene where Michael visits his father’s grave—it wasn’t in the script for him to become that emotional.
- Christopher Walken improvised many of his lines, giving Morty an unpredictably weird but magnetic personality.
- The aging makeup process for Sandler and Beckinsale took up to five hours per day during filming.
- Director Frank Coraci and Sandler previously worked together on The Waterboy and The Wedding Singer, which explains the familiar balance of humor and heart.
Inspirations and References
The film draws inspiration from classic “be careful what you wish for” tales like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. It’s also thematically similar to Bruce Almighty, exploring power, consequences, and redemption.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Several deleted scenes were released on the DVD, including:
- An extended argument between Michael and Ammer showing more of Michael’s professional frustration.
- A longer version of the hospital ending where Morty briefly appears, hinting that the “dream” might not have been just a dream.
No major alternate ending exists—the theatrical ending was always Besson’s intended conclusion.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Click is not based on a book, but its story structure borrows heavily from classic moral fables. Its narrative shares DNA with Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, replacing the ghosts of Christmas with a sci-fi remote control.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Michael first discovering he can pause time, hilariously abusing the power.
- The montage of him fast-forwarding through arguments, sickness, and weight gain.
- Michael’s visit to his father’s shop, when he realizes he skipped their last conversation.
- The heartbreaking hospital scene, where Michael dies telling his son to prioritize family.
Iconic Quotes
- “Family comes first.” – Michael Newman
- “You wanted a universal remote that controlled your universe. Be careful what you wish for.” – Morty
- “You don’t realize how fast time goes until you start skipping it.” – Michael
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The Bed Bath & Beyond sign has a subtle glowing “Beyond” section, hinting at Morty’s supernatural nature.
- Michael’s remote has a “Life Menu” similar to DVD menus—a visual joke on how we treat life like media.
- In one paused scene, the clock shows 4:20—a cheeky nod to Sandler’s usual stoner humor.
Trivia
- The dog “Sundance” is named after the real-life Sundance Film Festival.
- The script originally had a darker ending where Michael actually dies, but test audiences found it too grim.
- Despite being a comedy, Click is one of the few Adam Sandler movies nominated for an Oscar.
- The film’s budget was around $82 million, and it grossed over $240 million worldwide.
Why Watch?
Watch Click not just for laughs, but for its powerful reminder about appreciating life’s ordinary moments. Beneath the goofy premise lies a touching message: time is precious, and once it’s gone, you can’t rewind it. It’s a film that makes you laugh, think, and maybe cry—all within two hours.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Waterboy (1998)
- The Wedding Singer (1998)
- Here Comes the Boom (2012)
- Blended (2014)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Bruce Almighty (2003)
- Groundhog Day (1993)
- The Family Man (2000)
- About Time (2013)
- 50 First Dates (2004)
