It's funny that I had to find out about this movie by chance and after first discovering the sequel. Of course, I couldn't go ahead and watch the sequel without watching the first movie. I came across the movie “Happy Gilmore” the part two last year which was also released that year. Well, I won't be talking about the sequel, I'll be reviewing the first movie.
“Happy Gilmore” was released in 1996. When I discovered the sequel and went on to find the first movie, seeing the year it was released, my thought was why it took that long to make the sequel. That's 29 years later. I don't know why it was so. Perhaps, as with some movies, they saw the need to make a sequel, and maybe make some good money. It probably worked out. One thing was that “Happy Gilmore” the part one made a good impression.
The movie is a nice blend of comedy and sports. Maybe that adds to its interesting feel. Happy Gilmore, wonderfully played by Adam Sandler was a man who had the big dream of one major thing: becoming a successful hockey player. But here's the problem, he's one of the worst people to hold a hockey stick or play the game. Despite being that awful in the game, he kept showing up for tryouts, hoping to make it through as a pro.
Things took a turn when his beloved grandma had her house possessed by the IRS due to debts. Happy being unsettled by this and promising to get the house back found himself in the world of golf. Not a sport he ever dreamed of or fancied or even respected. You could say desperation pushed him there. Despite having no experience in golfing, his tremendous long drives wowed not just fans of the game, but even professionals. An advantage that lured him into a tournament with the sole desire of getting the money he needed.
The comedic feel was there. Adam Sandler was a very good fit for the role. He definitely looked annoying in some situations, making you wonder why someone would behave that way. But it's part of the comedy act I guess. The movie portrayed some things which aren't really seen or talked about.
One of that is a working-class man going into rich people's sport. Not just a working-class man but an unconventional one in a very reserved sport. You probably wouldn't expect acceptance from the fans, but no, it seemed they had long waited for a player like this to bring a different feeling and energy to their beloved sport. His style was different in every way, surprisingly capturing viewers and altering the sport's ratings for good. Well, he had his troubles too, and his short temper was one.
Another thing the movie showed was that sometimes, it's okay to turn around and look at other options. Never giving up and having a resilient spirit doesn't always mean doing the same thing or going the same direction. It could be another way. The important thing is that we need to keep on. Happy, being a lover of hockey and aspiring professional player never accepted that he could have a life in golf. Until he did, he saw his real potential and the success that awaited him in golf.
Happy faced some obstacles, like the schemes of Shooter McGavin who was the best pro golfer at the time, aspiring to win his gold jacket and join that elite club. How did Happy navigate all that? How about Grandma's house, did he manage to recover it, after being purchased by Shooter McGavin at auction, in a bid to rid him of the tournament? I think the movie tried to express the comedy genre. The demeanour and expressions from the actors, Adam Sandler especially were worthy of note.
The comedy feel was there. The fusion of comedy with sports isn't something you always see but this pulled through. Kudos to the writers and producer for making something out of this mix. It was quite an entertaining one. Some acts and scenes were over the edge. In a nutshell, “Happy Gilmore” gives that comedy relief you'll want to see, and it's a fairly good watch.
Thank you for reading!
Rating: 70/100