Sunny Sandler is starring in the new Netflix dramedy Don't Say Good Luck, which has earned a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 19 reviews. The American actress plays teenager Sophie Birenbaum, who lands the lead in her school's musical production, only for her personal life to take a devastating turn when she discovers her mother's cancer has returned.
A Demanding Role for a Teen Actor
The coming-of-age drama features Melanie Lynskey as Sophie's mother. Critics have noted the demanding nature of the role for an actor still in their teens. The New York Times wrote: "Sandler is sweetly attuned to Sophie, a sometimes tentative teenager. And Lynskey strikes a believable balance as both a fighter and a woman tired of the fight."
Another critic praised the film's approach, stating: "By focusing on life and its messiness instead of looming death, [Julia] Hart’s film earns the emotion other cancer dramas take for granted." A further review added: "There are numerous ways a film like Don’t Say Good Luck could go wrong and yet director Julia Hart applies just the right touch to pull off this small miracle of a movie."
From Minor Parts to Leading Roles
Although many viewers may think this is the first time they are seeing Sandler, she is no stranger to the big screen. Having spent her childhood taking on minor parts in her father Adam Sandler's productions, she already has a string of acting credits in beloved films. She most notably featured in the Grown Ups comedy franchise, appearing alongside her real mother Jackie and older sister Sadie.
In one sequence from Grown Ups 2, the sisters appear together alongside their actual mum Jackie, portraying relatives of Principal Tardio (Richie Minevini). The mother-daughter trio naturally had less screen time than Adam, who headlines both movies.
A Family of Rising Stars
Those days of standing quietly in the background are firmly behind her. Her sister Sadie has followed a similar path, recently headlining her own Netflix comedy, Roommates. Don't Say Good Luck is streaming now on Netflix.
