Adam Sandler's 1996 golf comedy Happy Gilmore came during a string of similar vehicles he churned out during the mid- to late-nineties. He plays a down-on-his-luck hockey player who discovers he has an amazing knack for golf. A number of memorable guests join in, including Carl Weathers, Richard Kiel, Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller, Kevin Nealon and Bob Barker.
The Movie
Look, I'm not here to judge you. If you want to watch an Adam Sandler movie, that's ok. You have your reasons, so there's no need in my trying to pile shame on your decision, especially as that angle has been thoroughly covered by many a reviewer before me. But let's at least get out in the open that his movies have a certain audience - and intoxication state - in mind. It's a group that is ok with watching Sandler's perpetual Man-Boy schtick slightly tweaked to different scenarios; that doesn't mind the predictable "loser makes good" plot devices; and that just wants a little humorous escapism without having to invest too much mental energy (after all, it's the weekend!). We've all been in that boat, and you could certainly do a lot worse than Happy Gilmore.
In this setup, Sandler plays Happy Gilmore, a wannabe hockey player who unfortunatley isn't any good at ninety percent of hockey. But man can he put some heat behind his shot! Sure, every other part of his life is falling apart - he didn't make the hockey team again, his girlfriend left him, and his grandmother's house is being repossessed - but as wildly improbable, movie comedy luck would have it, he discovers that he can really smack the stuffing out of a golf ball. Oh, and that a golf tournament where he might be discovered is about to take place. Insert unlikely event A into standard comic device B and voila: Happy Gilmore. And don't worry, we have our stock protagonists and antagonists lined up. Cocky opponent who is jealous of Happy's quick success? Check. Beautiful girl who could do way better than him in real life but here is taken in by his boyish charm? Of course. Comic mentor played by Carl Weathers? You bet. Actual funny scenes delivered by Kevin Nealon and Bob Barker? Hole in one.
.jpg?t=20130517094513)
Article comments