Written by Adam Sandler and Tim Herhily, and written by Dennis Dugan Happy Gilmore was released in July 1996.
****Story line****
Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) is a wannabe ice hockey player that keeps getting cut from the team. Whilst he has the ability to really strike the puck and power it off the penalty spot, he does not have the other necessary skills, such as skating, required for hockey. His biggest downfall is his inability to control his violent temper.
Happy’s grandmother (Frances Bay) falls behind with her tax payments and has her house repossessed only to be put in a care home. Happy makes it his mission to get her house back but to do that he needs money, but where is this going to come from?
During the house repossession Happy discovers he has the ability to drive a golf ball a long, long way so he takes to the driving range where he tries to hustle some cash. At the golf club Happy is introduced to Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers) and ex-pro golfer that had to retire because of a loss of a limb.
Chubbs
persuades Happy to enter a local open golf tournament with the promise of bigger and better things, along with lots of money, if Happy performs well. Chubbs offers to mentor Happy and help him improve his skills and their relationship flourishes.
Nothing ever goes smoothly and Happy encounters problems with the seasoned pro- golfers, who appear to be jealous of his quick progression and his ability to win over the crowd.
One pro in particular is aggrieved and actively goes out to sabotage Happy’s game to ensure that he cannot progress in the tournament.
Will Happy succeed and mange to raise enough cash to settle his grandmother’s tax bill and buy her house back?
****Characters****
In addition to Happy, Grandma and Chubbs there are loads of other characters and the main ones are as follows:
i) Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald) – the pro golfer that takes a dislike to Happy
ii) Virginia Venit – reporter
iii) Happy’s caddy (Jared Van Snellenberg)
iv) Hal L (Ben Stiller) – Care home matron
There are other characters including hockey players, golfers, caddys, hecklers and spectators. All of these have relatively small parts within this film and there are no real memorable performances.
****Opinion****
In its simplest form Happy Gilmore is an endearing story of a selfless man that goes against his dreams to help out a family member that is in financial difficulties. It is a selfless and honourable act.
The relationship between Happy and Chubbs is really good. Chubbs sees a troubled individual with a talent that needs nurturing and takes him under his wing. He is like a father figure that tries to live his dreams through his son.
As with most of Sandler’s films the story line is very unrealistic, and there is no way that an absolute amateur would ever get good enough at golf to challenge professionals in tournaments. It is a challenging game that takes years to master and I think it is a bit unfair to dumb the game of golf down so much.
I think this is one of Sandler’s better films and it is very funny. Happy’s unconventional (and unacceptable behaviour) on the golf course really makes this film. Golf is meant to be a game for gentlemen, something that Happy definitely is not.
Whilst this film portrays violence, something I can’t condone, it does it in a comical and light-hearted manner. In fact, it is the violence that makes it so funny. Happy is fuelled by his fiery and uncontrollable temper and will think nothing of lashing out at anyone that he thinks has done him wrong. That said he does know when he was wrong (after the event) and will apologise. One of the best parts of this film is Happy’s scuffle with his caddy during their first meeting.
The acting is not great, but then you don’t need to be a great actor to star in a comedy film, so I have no negative comments to make about the acting.
Overall this is a fun, light-hearted film that is great entertainment and a really good watch that is highly recommended and a worthy addition to any DVD collection.
****Other****
Run time – 92 minutes
Certificate - 12
1 award and 3 nominations
(Originally posted on Dooyoo under the name of Yackers1)
![Happy Gilmore [DVD] [1996]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78542188.jpg)
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05.03.2009 09:36
Good film- nice review too x
04.03.2009 21:58
great review aggy x x x x
04.03.2009 20:35
Great review I love this film Helen x