Israelis And Arabs Walk Into A Film ...

ADAM SANDLER'S comedies can usually be distinguished -- if that's the right word -- by setups so improbable that they border on the ridiculous, from the re-education of a man forced to complete grades 1 through 12 (''Billy Madison'') to the sham gay marriage of two heterosexual firefighters (''I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry''). Yet his latest movie places him in what may be his most improbable scenario to date. In ''You Don't Mess With the Zohan'' (opening June 6), Mr. Sandler plays an Israeli assassin who flees to the United States to become a hairdresser. Trailers for the film promise plenty of broad farce, physical comedy and at least one lewd dance routine. What the ad campaign for ''Zohan'' does not emphasize is that the film also attempts to satirize the continuing tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and provide humorous commentary on one of the least funny topics of modern times with a comedian who is not exactly known for incisive political wit. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]