Aubrey Plaza on Adam Sandler: Comedy, Craft, and Calculated Choices

For a while, Aubrey Plaza was nearly impossible to avoid online, her offbeat charm and deadpan delivery striking a chord with a generation raised on internet humour. Her portrayal of April in Parks and Recreation cemented her status as a household name in the United States, with the character’s dry wit and world-weary outlook making her a standout in the ensemble cast.

As the decade progressed, Plaza’s career took her in a variety of directions. She appeared in Edgar Wright’s comic book adaptation Scott Pilgrim vs the World, and later took on more psychologically complex material in Black Bear. On television, she drew critical praise for her role in the acclaimed series The White Lotus. Yet, she has never shied away from roles that might be considered less refined, such as her part in the 2016 comedy Dirty Grandpa. Sharing the screen with Robert De Niro, Plaza found herself in a film widely panned for its crude humour and lacklustre gags. Many critics were less than kind, with some going so far as to label it among the worst films ever produced. It’s not exactly a highlight in anyone’s career, but Plaza seems to have a clear sense of direction when it comes to her professional choices.

Finding Inspiration in Unlikely Places

One of the most significant influences on Plaza’s approach to her craft is an actor who has himself starred in more than a few questionable comedies. What draws her to him, though, is his ability to surprise audiences with genuinely impressive performances in more demanding roles, even if those opportunities are rare. The actor in question? Adam Sandler.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Plaza explained,

“All I was doing when I was living in Queens at that time was just scheming. I always wanted to do dramatic roles. Once I figured out, OK, I can do comedy, I’m funny, I was very calculated about my career. The people I admired most were people like Adam Sandler, who would do broad comedies and also go do Punch-Drunk Love.”

Sandler, long associated with light-hearted fare such as The Wedding Singer, Billy Madison, and Happy Gilmore, surprised many when he took the lead in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love. The casting raised eyebrows, but Sandler’s performance won over sceptics and demonstrated a depth not always apparent in his earlier work.

Balancing Laughter and Depth

Sandler has since delivered several more nuanced performances, notably in Uncut Gems, further proving his range. Plaza had the chance to work alongside him in 2009’s Funny People, directed by Judd Apatow. Although the film did not achieve commercial success, it marked the beginning of a lasting friendship between the two actors. They even interviewed one another in 2020 for Interview Magazine, reflecting on their shared experiences in the industry.

While Sandler might not be the first name that springs to mind when actors are asked about their inspirations, for Plaza, he represents the ideal: someone who can move effortlessly between broad, silly comedies and roles that demand genuine emotional weight. It’s a balance she clearly values and strives to emulate in her own varied career.