# You Don't Mess with the Zohan

> 2008 film by Dennis Dugan

**Wikidata**: [Q958417](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q958417)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Don't_Mess_with_the_Zohan)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/you-don-t-mess-with-the-zohan

## Summary
You Don't Mess with the Zohan is a 2008 American action comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and starring Adam Sandler as an Israeli counter-terrorist commando who fakes his death to become a hairstylist in New York City. The film was produced by Happy Madison Productions and distributed by Columbia Pictures.

## Key Facts
- Released on June 6, 2008, in the United States
- Directed by Dennis Dugan
- Written by Adam Sandler, Judd Apatow, and Robert Smigel
- Produced by Jack Giarraputo and Adam Sandler
- Distributed by Columbia Pictures
- Production companies: Happy Madison Productions and Relativity Media
- Budget: $90 million
- Box office gross: $201.6 million worldwide
- Runtime: 112 minutes
- Country of origin: United States
- Genre: Action comedy, parody film
- IMDb ID: tt0960144
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 37%
- Metacritic score: 54/100
- IMDb rating: 4.8/10
- Wikipedia sitelink count: 39

## FAQs
**What is the plot of You Don't Mess with the Zohan?**
The film follows Zohan Dvir, an Israeli counter-terrorist commando who fakes his death to escape his military life and pursue his dream of becoming a hairstylist in New York City. He faces challenges from his past and cultural conflicts while trying to build a new life.

**Who are the main cast members?**
Adam Sandler stars as Zohan Dvir, with supporting roles by John Turturro as Zohan's nemesis Phantom, Emmanuelle Chriqui as Dalia, and Rob Schneider as Salim. The film also features Nick Swardson, Lainie Kazan, and Dave Matthews.

**What production companies were involved?**
The film was produced by Happy Madison Productions, Adam Sandler's production company founded in 1999, and Relativity Media, an American media company founded in 2004 and headquartered in Beverly Hills, California.

**How was the film received by critics and audiences?**
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 54/100. It has a 4.8/10 rating on IMDb. Despite mixed critical reception, it was a commercial success, grossing over $201 million worldwide against a $90 million budget.

## Why It Matters
You Don't Mess with the Zohan represents a significant entry in Adam Sandler's filmography as both a star and producer through his Happy Madison Productions company. The film tackles cultural stereotypes and Middle Eastern conflicts through comedy, using the premise of an Israeli commando pursuing an unlikely career in America to explore themes of identity, assimilation, and breaking free from societal expectations. Its substantial $90 million budget and $201.6 million worldwide gross demonstrate the commercial viability of Sandler's brand of comedy, even when dealing with potentially controversial subject matter. The film also showcases Sandler's continued collaboration with director Dennis Dugan and writers Judd Apatow and Robert Smigel, forming a creative team that would produce several more successful comedies.

## Notable For
- Adam Sandler's first film to address Middle Eastern cultural themes directly
- One of the most expensive comedies of its time with a $90 million budget
- Commercial success despite mixed critical reception
- Features extensive use of prosthetic makeup to transform Sandler's appearance
- Includes numerous celebrity cameos and supporting roles
- Explores themes of cultural identity and assimilation through comedy
- Represents Happy Madison Productions' continued partnership with Columbia Pictures
- Features a unique blend of action sequences and comedy routines
- Addresses Israeli-Palestinian conflict through satirical lens
- Showcases Sandler's physical comedy abilities in action sequences

## Body
### Production and Development
You Don't Mess with the Zohan was developed through Happy Madison Productions, the film and television production company founded by Adam Sandler in December 1999. The company, headquartered in the United States, specializes in comedy productions and has been instrumental in Sandler's transition from Saturday Night Live performer to major film star and producer. The film was also produced in association with Relativity Media, an American media company founded in 2004 and located in Beverly Hills, California, which has been involved in numerous film productions since its inception.

The screenplay was written by Adam Sandler alongside Judd Apatow and Robert Smigel, with Dennis Dugan directing. Dugan has been a frequent collaborator with Sandler, directing multiple films for Happy Madison Productions. The production budget of $90 million made it one of the more expensive comedies of its time, reflecting the high production values including action sequences, location shooting, and extensive prosthetic makeup work to transform Sandler's appearance for the role.

### Cast and Characters
Adam Sandler stars as Zohan Dvir, an Israeli counter-terrorist commando who dreams of becoming a hairstylist. The film features John Turturro as Phantom, Zohan's Palestinian nemesis, and Emmanuelle Chriqui as Dalia, the salon owner who becomes Zohan's love interest. Rob Schneider appears as Salim, a Palestinian cab driver. The supporting cast includes Nick Swardson, Lainie Kazan, and Dave Matthews in supporting roles, with numerous celebrity cameos throughout the film.

### Genre and Style
The film is classified as an action comedy and parody film, combining elements of traditional action movies with comedic routines and satirical elements. It parodies the action genre while also addressing cultural stereotypes and Middle Eastern conflicts through humor. The film's style incorporates physical comedy, slapstick humor, and satirical commentary on cultural identity and assimilation.

### Release and Distribution
You Don't Mess with the Zohan was released on June 6, 2008, in the United States by Columbia Pictures, with a later release on August 14, 2008, in some international markets. The film's distribution through Columbia Pictures, a major Hollywood studio, provided wide theatrical release and marketing support. The June release date positioned it as a summer comedy, competing with other major releases during the peak movie-going season.

### Critical Reception and Performance
The film received mixed reviews from critics, earning a 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 54/100. On IMDb, it holds a 4.8/10 rating based on user reviews. Despite the mixed critical reception, the film was commercially successful, grossing $201.6 million worldwide against its $90 million production budget. This financial performance demonstrates the strength of Adam Sandler's appeal to audiences and the commercial viability of Happy Madison Productions' films.

### Cultural Impact and Themes
You Don't Mess with the Zohan addresses themes of cultural identity, assimilation, and breaking free from societal expectations through its premise of an Israeli commando pursuing an unlikely career in America. The film uses comedy to explore Middle Eastern cultural stereotypes and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, presenting these serious topics through a satirical lens. The character of Zohan represents the desire to escape from predetermined roles and pursue personal dreams, regardless of cultural or societal expectations.

### Technical Aspects
The film features extensive use of prosthetic makeup to transform Adam Sandler's appearance for the role of Zohan, including the character's distinctive hairstyle and physique. The production involved location shooting in various settings to represent both Israeli and New York environments. The action sequences were choreographed to blend with the comedic elements, creating a unique style that combines traditional action movie techniques with comedic timing and physical humor.

### Legacy and Influence
As part of Adam Sandler's filmography and Happy Madison Productions' output, You Don't Mess with the Zohan represents a significant entry in the evolution of Sandler's career from performer to producer and creative force. The film's success helped establish the continued viability of Sandler's brand of comedy and his ability to tackle more complex themes while maintaining commercial appeal. The collaboration between Sandler, Dugan, Apatow, and Smigel would continue in subsequent productions, forming a creative team that would produce several more successful comedies for Happy Madison Productions.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. The Movie Database
3. You Don't Mess With the Zohan. Rotten Tomatoes
4. Freebase Data Dumps
5. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0960144/releaseinfo)
6. [Source](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=youdontmesswiththezohan.htm)
7. Kinopoisk
8. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/you-don-t-mess-with-the-zohan/)
9. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
10. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=126247.html)
11. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
12. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/120555)
13. Cineplex
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15. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/A9B1-DF6A-F871-0367-4A46-R)
16. Danish Film Database
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19. FilmVandaag.nl