Yeah, Sandler was very good. I expected nothing, literally. Of course it helps that he was acting opposite one hellava actress. What a quirky movie though. Are you a fan of Anderson? Boogie Nights is one of my favorites, such a quality ensemble, too.
You probably didn't see Dead Man, but I am suprised about Miller's Crossing and Sweet Hereafter. Both movies are among my all-time faves The latter stars Sir Ian Holm (the one Sir Ian who get criminally little attention-- you know him from Time Bandits and Alien), the mother character from Spank the Monkey and that awesome Canadien teen acress Sarah Polley, and the former is a Coen Bros 20's gangster ode.