Happy Gilmore
Before Tiger Woods, golf was seen as an uptight, boring game played by rich, upper-class snobs in ridiculous outfits. Adam Sandler parodies this stereotype in the hilarious comedy Happy Gilmore.
Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) is a wannabe hockey player with an extremely short fuse. Although he has a wicked slap shot and the intensity of an NHL all-star, there is one problem -- he can't skate. Unable to make any hockey teams, he works a variety of blue-collar jobs to support himself. After Happy's grandmother has her house taken away by the IRS, he discovers that he has the unique ability to drive a golf ball in a way that would make John Daly envious.
Desperate to buy back his grandmother's house, Happy soon starts hustling at the local driving range where he meets Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers), a once-promising pro. Although Happy has no use for golf and dismisses it with the line "golf requires goofy pants and a fat ass," Chubbs soon convinces Happy to try out for the pro tour.
While on the tour Happy wrecks havoc with golf's stiff traditions and etiquette by openly swearing, fighting and playing with the same raw emotion as the hockey rink. Although Happy's style attracts a new, "economically diverse crowd" to the sport, his blue-collar antics quickly appall golf purists. One such purist is pro Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), who targets Happy as an enemy. The two soon go head-to-head in a clash of styles.
Although this film is fairly one-dimensional, it is one of Adam Sandler's funnier movies. It depends primarily on Happy "losing it" on the golf course for most of its laughs, but it works. One of the greatest moments in comedy history is the fight scene with Bob Barker. In fact, this scene won "Best Fight of the Year" at the 1996 MTV Movie Awards. I won't tell you who won, but the scene immortilizes the line "The price is wrong ... bitch."
The movie also pokes fun at the etiquette and traditions of golf. You don't need to know a lot about the game to enjoy this movie, but understanding some of golf's nuances helps in getting some of the more subtle humor.
Anyone that has ever played golf knows that there is much more to the sport than long drives. If it was simply about long drives, then Jason Zokel (the former world long-drive champion) would be a lot more well-known. It's also unbelievable that anyone could learn to putt simply by visiting a mini-golf course once. Another obvious question in this movie is why, if Happy loves hockey so much, he doesn't practice his skating instead of beaning himself in a batting cage to build toughness. While watching this movie it's best to overlook the flaws and just sit back and enjoy it.
I find that Adam Sandler movies tend to be either really funny or downright stupid. For every Wedding Singer, there is a Little Nicky. If you're a fan of Adam Sandler, then this is a must-see, and chances are you've already seen it. Even if you're not an Adam Sandler fan but enjoy golf, this is a classic. Hell, even if you can appreciate a lighthearted comedy, you will enjoy Happy Gilmore.
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No real reason to rage, but no reason not to either. Nothing goes with sports like beer.
The romance between Happy and Virginia is strictly PG. Not much steam here. The "Endless Love" scene is funny, though. Won't hurt your chances.
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