Comedy films may be the genre that gets indicted into the hall of fame least often, as action movies and dramas tend to be remembered as ‘classics’ more frequently. However, Happy Gilmore from 1996 is one of the few exceptions.
Adam Sandler in Happy Gilmore / Picture Credit: Universal Pictures
Adam Sandler is known for his wacky and ridiculous comedies, such as Grown Ups (2010), Big Daddy (1999), and Billy Madison (1995), with the latter being one of the most in-your-face features Sandler has produced.
However, Happy Gilmore walks a fine line between wacky and slightly serious, as Sandler’s Happy Gilmore is a character with a compassionate attitude from start to finish; he just doesn’t show it very well.
The movie follows Happy as he trains his whole life to become a professional ice hockey player; after his mother left and his father passed away, he was sent to live with his grandma, who he grew very close with and loves dearly.
Happy narrates the first few moments of the film, giving a small insight into who he is, which suddenly changes from silly to aggressive as he is seen pinning another hockey player to the wall.
Happy tries every year to get onto the hockey team, but he just isn’t good enough. By accident, Happy reveals he is incredible at golf and, while he tries to win money from people at a driving range, Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers) sees potential.
Due to his grandmother’s house being potentially sold due to her not paying taxes for a few years, Happy decides to enter a golf tournament and win her the money to buy her house back.
While golf may not seem like the most interesting sport to make a film out of, this movie proves that theory wrong. Happy Gilmore is a genuinely funny comedy as Sandler once again nails a leading role.
What sets this movie apart from other comedies is the realness of all the characters; Happy is an entertaining, anger-fuelled man who needs to reign himself in, Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) provides a rival for Happy as a cocky, self-assured golfer who really doesn’t like Happy getting in his way.
The writing is perfect, as every joke, jab and display of physical comedy is simply brilliant, and Chubbs’ character, a patient and matter-of-fact former golfer, sees Happy through the tough times and is a shoulder to lean on, and the fact he has a hand made out of wood brings a whole host of jokes and accidents.
Happy Gilmore is a hard film to hate, despite the sometimes over-the-top acting; but in this case, that sells the film as Happy’s crazy and unorthodox personality wins over fans of the sport,
His rivalry with Shooter also provides a way for Happy to win, as without an obstacle like him, Happy’s victory wouldn’t be as sweet.
While the comedy in this movie is perfect, the plot is also a simple one, which allows the hilarity to shine through.
Happy Gilmore is a classic because, even now, we recognise the music that introduces the film, it is a quotable movie as many characters have some pretty iconic lines, and Happy is a character you do not forget lightly.
The film really boasts genuine comedy and jokes that a general audience would find funny, such as Happy’s rage issues, his rhyming in the bar that freaks Shooter out, his caddy that takes a bath in one of the golf course’s ponds, and who can forget the crazed fan hired by Shooter himself to distract Happy on the green?
The jeering fan (Joe Flaherty) has some quotable lines, one being when he shouts at Happy, “You suck, you jack*ss!”, putting Happy off his game.
Speaking of iconic lines, Happy’s quiet anger when he realises how bad he is at putting is only made worse by Chubbs holding him from behind, and swinging the golf club back and forth in front of the crowd; which does look rather odd.
Happy then mocks Chubbs, saying “tap it in, just tap it in, give it a little tappy, a little tap tap, taparoo”, which is a line that sticks in your head, especially if playing any kind of golf yourself...
All in all, Happy Gilmore is a comedy classic, no doubt about it. The writing is brilliant, the casting is amazing, and the genuine, whole-hearted comedy is what makes this movie a Sandler favourite after all these years.
Check out the trailer for Happy Gilmore below!
Written by Melissa, who you can follow on Twitter @melissajournal
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Tagged in Adam Sandler Comedy films