() () () ()
Dennis Dugan
February 16, 1996
Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) has only ever desired to play hockey professionally. But he soon realizes that he might possibly be talented at playing golf. When Happy finds that his grandmother (Frances Bay) is going to lose her home, he enters a golf tournament in an effort to raise money to buy it for her. To the dismay of the polite golf experts, Happy becomes an unlikely golf hero thanks to his strong driving abilities and foul-mouthed attitude. But Every hero needs a villain, and Happy finds his in Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), an evil, conceited golfer who will stop at nothing to undermine Happy, including employing a heckler (Joe Flaherty) to ruin his game and trying to con Happy’s grandmother out of her home.
Here, Sandler makes excellent use of his boisterous, quirky appeal and talent for comic voices. Despite the limitations of his basic comedic style, which consists of silly pranks and the ability to tear down authoritative figures, audiences will go nuts for him. Particularly preteen boys should enjoy this movie.
Bob Barker’s cameo will probably not be topped for a good while. Adam Sandler originally approach Ed McMahon who turned down the role, then turned to Barker who took it, mainly because he would have the chance to beat someone up at the age of 73. Not to mention Happy’s famous line “the price isn’t right bitch” was sprung from there on screen feud.
Who wins, who gets the mansion, and who scores with the alluring public relations specialist (Julie Bowen) sent to the golf tour may all be determined without having to be a film scholar. “Happy Gilmore” isn’t difficult; it’s merely a lighthearted joke that appeals to its target audience.
BelowBlue Movie Reviews 