You Don't Mess with the Zohan

Adam Sandler plays Zohan Dvir, an Israeli special forces soldier who fakes his death to chase a dream: cutting hair in New York City. Directed by Dennis Dugan, this 2008 comedy from Happy Madison Productions pairs Sandler with Emmanuelle Chriqui, John Turturro, and Rob Schneider. Shot on a $90 million budget, it grossed over $204 million worldwide. Critics gave it a 62% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.7 on IMDb, but audiences packed theaters for its absurd take on Middle East tensions.

The film's real-life inspiration came from Nezi Arbib, a hairstylist and former Israeli soldier in Solana Beach, California. Arbib taught Sandler cutting techniques, and the actor adapted his mannerisms for the role. Sandler performed many stunts himself, training in martial arts and wirework. The cast includes cameos from Chris Rock, Kevin James, Mariah Carey, Dave Matthews, and John McEnroe. Sandler's family members also appear. [edit]

Zohan Dvir is Israel's greatest counter-terrorism commando. He catches bullets in his nostril, performs impossible acrobatics, and defeats any enemy with ease. His pickup line: "You can mess with me, but you can't mess with the Zohan." But Zohan is tired of the endless conflict. His secret passion, hidden from everyone, is hairstyling. He carries a 1987 Paul Mitchell book everywhere and dreams of moving to America to work for John Paul Mitchell Systems. His parents disapprove, seeing it as abandoning his duty.

During a mission against his nemesis, Fatoush "The Phantom" Hakbarah, Zohan fakes his own death in an explosion. Disguised and smuggled to New York City, he adopts the alias "Scrappy Coco." He tries to get a job at the Paul Mitchell salon but is rejected for his outdated hairstyle and lack of credentials. Dejected, he wanders into a neighborhood where Israeli and Palestinian communities live side by side. He finds work as a cleaner at a small salon owned by Dalia Hakbarah, a beautiful young Palestinian woman who doesn't know his true identity.

Zohan proves to be a gifted hairstylist, specializing in elaborate 1980s styles for older women. His services include an unusual extra in the back room: sexual gratification for elderly clients, which becomes a major draw. He befriends Michael Klayman, a nerdy electronics store employee, and moves in with Michael and his mother Gail. Zohan falls for Dalia, but she is wary because of his Israeli background. Meanwhile, the Phantom survives the explosion, discovers Zohan is alive, and travels to America for revenge, aided by a bitter Arab cab driver named Salim. A ruthless real estate developer, Kevin, threatens to buy the entire block to build a mall. Zohan must protect his new friends, win Dalia's heart, and keep his secret hidden while the Phantom closes in.[edit]