Happy Gilmore

1996 Comedy

Adam Sandler's second popular starring vehicle after Billy Madison is a goofy lowbrow paean to golf, hockey, and the comic hysterics of its childlike star. In Happy Gilmore, Sandler plays the title character, a raw, determined, but ultimately untalented hockey player who keeps trying out for the pros. When Happy discovers his grandmother (Frances Bay) will lose her home if she doesn't fork over 270,000 dollars to the IRS, he tries to figure out how he can possibly scrounge up the cash. An idea strikes during a game of one-upmanship with a couple furniture movers stripping his grandmother's home: On his first-ever swing, he drives a golf ball farther than the movers have ever seen. Before long, he has transplanted the foul-mouthed, aggressive persona of the hockey rink to the links, winning an amateur tourney that earns him a spot on the pro tour. Throttling everyone from a helpless caddy to game show host Bob Barker during the course of his 90-day quest to amass prize money, Happy also wins the sport a legion of new fans with his in-your-face style. Guiding him on his quest is a whimsical retired pro who lost his hand to an alligator (Carl Weathers) and an attractive public relations woman charmed by Happy's antics (Julie Bowen). Opposing him, however, is sneering hotshot Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), who will do anything to win his championship jacket and see Happy fail. more..

Director: Dennis Dugan

Starring: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Frances Bay, Carl Weathers

Reviews

  • Slap Happy.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    26 April 2013

  • The real surprise is that it's a lot of fun, with Sandler becoming more personable as the film progresses, and a couple of truly side-splitting scenes.

    - Empire

    26 April 2013

  • It may smell awful from a distance, especially if you have low tolerance for lowbrow humor, but up close this yarn about an unlikely golf star is fairly painless.

    Edward Guthmann - The San Francisco Chronicle

    26 April 2013

  • Adam Sandler is funny as the volatile hero, and the screenplay is just abrasive enough to keep the story surprising.

    David Sterritt - Christian Science Monitor

    26 April 2013

  • Tells the story of a violent sociopath. Since it's about golf, that makes it a comedy.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Favorite Movie

    Kids' Choice Awards (1997)

     
  • Best Fight

    MTV Movie Awards (1996)

  • Worst Actor

    Razzie Awards (1997)