Adam Sandler films are pretty much sad events these days. It’s hard to believe, that this guy was once sitting at the top of the funny-man mountain, before he went tumbling down it in an avalanche of films such as Jack & Jill, Bedtime Stories and Grown Ups.
But before that man-child schtick of his became too overbearing and annoying, it was put to fine use, in a golf film, starring Sandler as a maniac on the green.
A Hockey player wannabe finds out that he has the most powerful golf drive in history. He joins the P.G.A. tour to make some money to save his grandma’s house. The downside is that his hocky player mentality doesn’t really go on the P.G.A. tour. Especially with the favorite to win the championship.
Golf has to be one of the most boring sports on the planet. I’m dead serious. Watching an overpaid swinger whack a golf ball over 18 holes ain’t exactly riveting television, but if a player such as Sandlers’ Happy Gilmore was on the field, I’d buy tickets to go watch the spectacle live.
With Happy Gilmore, the plot is paper-thin, but it’s backed up by one crucial factor here: The film is damn fun to watch. Sure, Sandler may be in full aggravation mode, but at least he happens to find himself surrounded by likeable personalities, from Apollo Creed tutoring him on how to overcome his putting disability, through to Ben Stiller briefly appearing as a pensioners village assistant from hell, and even a familiar James Bond villain making a memorable turn.
And then of course, you have Bob Barker dealing a legitimate can of whoop-ass on Sandler, when he takes things a little too far, as he bites off far more than he can chew with this “Price is Right” host.
It’s lowbrow, basic comedy, but it’s done pretty well, and dammit, it made me slap-happy at the end of the day with a respectable finish.
Last Updated: August 29, 2012
