Film opinion: A swing back at ‘Happy Gilmore’

With Happy Gilmore 2 teed up for a July 25 release on Netflix, now is the perfect time to take a swing at the classic Adam Sandler original. 

The beloved 1996 comedy is widely regarded as one of Sandler’s best, and has a global horde of fans.

After years of having missed out on this iconic flick, Film News Blitz’s Charlie Gardner gives his take.

Charlie’s prologue

As someone who knows little about the sport of golf, but plenty about Sandler, I was certainly intrigued by the concept, all while having no clue whether it would land in the green or slice into the rough. 

After watching it, it seems I’ve found an answer.

Of course, spoiler warnings apply.

What is ‘Happy Gilmore’ about?

Released in 1996, Happy Gilmore follows the story of the titular character (Sandler), a hot-tempered hockey player who discovers that his talents translate to golf, more specifically, his long shots. 

When his beloved grandmother sees her house repossessed, which leaves her in a retirement home under the abusive control of Ben Stiller’s character, Hal, Happy decides to enter a golf tournament to use the prize money to keep her in the green.

Happy’s unconventional style of play and frequent loss of temper lead to a sporting rivalry turned personal with the arrogant pro Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), who viewers will find to be without a stroke of humility.

What ensues is a comedic take on the cliche underdog story, with a sprinkle of romance, that plays so well on tropes so often seen in Hollywood.

Cast and characters 

As previously mentioned, Sandler plays the titular character in exactly the way you’d expect - as nearly every Sandler character is played: a cheesy underachiever always left with a desire for more, with a burning care for his close ones.

As much as we’ve seen this character before, it feels as though this is a character you buy into when you find out Sandler is the lead role in anything. 

Throughout the film, Happy’s short fuse leads to a range of humorous moments that make the film so memorable.

Training Gilmore and putting him through paces is Apollo Creed himself, Carl Weathers. 

The one-handed mentor provides a few cheap gags, from hand-related jokes and puns to his outrageously silly demise that comes from being frightened by the head of the alligator that took his hand. 

Weathers manages to play the role of Chubbs Peterson with ease, his cold and serious tones only adding to the fun.

The villain of the story comes in the form of tour favourite Shooter McGavin, a big-headed pro whose sole aim is to prevent Happy Gilmore from seizing victory. 

One such way this is done is through bribing a heckler to play at Happy’s short temper, which ultimately leads to Sandler’s character being handed a suspension. 

McDonald is arguably best known for his role in this film, and it becomes evident why as you find yourself irritated and on edge with his every comment or snide remark.

Supporting Happy through it all is love interest Virginia Venit, the tour’s PR manager, who is assigned to keep his temper in control throughout the competition: the calm fairway in Happy’s hurricane of hooks. 

Played by Julie Bowen, who you may recognise from the hit sitcom Modern Family, Venit appears to be the calm within the non-stop chaos of the film, providing balance in a world where arrogance, anger and slapstick are plentiful.

Supporting characters include Grandma Gilmore, the driver in the story, who, as previously mentioned, centres around reclaiming her home and Happy’s constant need to make her proud. 

Another standout character remembered fondly despite little screen time is Stiller’s Hal, the twisted worker at the sweatshop-like care home that Grandma Gilmore is trapped in.

These characters, among others, tie the whole story together in what feels to be the ultimate parody of a sports underdog movie, from the underdog himself and his mentor who passes away, to the love interest or seasoned pro who plays dirty to remain at the top. 

Yes, these are all cliches, but that is very clearly the whole point - do not take them seriously!

Overall feel

Happy Gilmore is never going to be Rocky. 

Nor would it be Eddie the Eagle, it’s the same sport, but a totally different course. 

Yes, you get a brilliant underdog story and one that mirrors similar tropes, but as previously mentioned, this film is a clear parody in classic Sandler fashion and one that does it right.

Amongst the parody and simple jokes, like Chubbs falling from a window in fear of a gator, or maybe Happy accidentally sweet-talking a child in the street through his apartment intercom, is a genuinely heartfelt story. 

As mentioned at the start, viewers familiar with Sandler’s work could probably fill out a bingo card of what to expect performance and character wise, but in my opinion that’s the whole point; Sandler’s characters are so recognisably whacky and outrageous, yet always find a way of being relatable and getting you on side - Happy Gilmore as a film excels at providing you exactly that.

Final say

This film is one where its cheesy jokes and far-fetched plots are why we have come to love Sandler flicks so much, with this one on par with some of his best comedic performances. 

If you want a film full of oddity and stupidly enjoyable humour, then Happy Gilmore is for you. 

Overall, a tee-rific film that does exactly what it says on the tin, and I for one can’t wait for the second tour.

Happy Gilmore 2 swings onto Netflix on July 25.

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