'You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah' Director Defends Casting Adam Sandler's Real Kids in Movie

justjared.com:

While You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah has scored a record breaking Rotten Tomatoes score, there are some fans who are calling it out for nepotism.

The movie stars Sunny and Sadie Sandler, who are the real daughters of Adam Sandler, and now, director Sammi Cohen is speaking out about the backlash over that. Keep reading to find out more… In addition to Sunny and Sadie, Adam‘s wife and the girls’ mom, Jackie Sandler, also has a prominent role in the movie.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sammi admits that he gets the criticism, but it’s not out of line at all. “Sandler has a reputation for making movies with his friends, and that’s something we all want to do,” he explained, adding that in this case, “he’s still making movies with his friends, but they’re his kids.” Sammi went on, saying that Adam “is the kind of dad who’s also your best friend.

When it comes to the sort of chatter we’re hearing online, I don’t really think twice about it because I’m going like, ‘Yeah, he’s doing the same thing he’s always done.’” He also added that seeing Adam star with his real daughters, adds something to the movie as a whole. “There is something nice about the casting in a project like YASNITMBM; seeing real family members interact on screen is its own little thrill,” he shared. “It lends the film a lived-in authenticity and makes the otherwise standard-issue family unit feel fleshed out and singular…It’s nepotism, sure, but it’s additive – the film is richer for what it brings.” You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is streaming now on Netflix.