Happy Gilmore (1996) Movie Review streaming on Netflix.

There were three comedy films I watched on repeat as a kid in the early 2000s. Anchorman, Rat Race (which upon reflection, might have been a little too edgy for 8 year old me), and The Sandman doing his thing in Happy Gilmore.

There’s been an interesting, and often lacklustre, history with Saturday Night Live sketches being adapted into longer form feature films. Sometimes, it works with hits like The Blues Brothers or MacGruber. But more often than not, despite titles like Night at the Roxbury having a special place in my goofy heart, they don’t withstand the test of comedic time.

But then you have an SNL alum like Adam Sandler, who’s young and fiery energy on the sketch show in the 90s was used to fuel new and original character based comedies, rather than the sketch characters being turned into films. Billy Madison, Little Nicky, and of course, Happy Gilmore. And it’s something that The Sandman has weaponised to perfection throughout his career, with his variety of comedy films for all ages, being box office juggernauts and leading to one of the most lucrative deals in Netflix history.

And it’s not just comedy that Sandler has thrived in, with dramatic turns in films like Punch Drunk Love, Reign Over Me, and his most recent, incredible work in Uncut Gems, his versatility as a performer allows these insane, absurd, goofy comedic premises to have a lot of heart and humanity at their core. Happy Gilmore is a perfect example of this.

” Sandler’s young and fiery energy was used to fuel new and original character based comedies“

The titular character, played by Sandler, is a hot-headed hockey player, with a hell of a slap shot, who’s been banned from many leagues for his violent outbursts. Gilmore discovers that his sweet grandma owes $270,000 to the IRS, and will lose her house if it’s not paid in 90 days. So, what’s the best course of action for an anger-prone athlete to try and get money quickly? Enter a prestigious golf tournament, of course.

Under the guidance of former golfing pro (former being due to the fact that he lost his hand to an alligator in one of the lakes of a golf course), Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers), Happy takes the golfing world by storm with his incredible driving power, and his humorous outbursts due to his inability to putt. But this newfound success is the gripe of tournament champion favourite, and all around douchebag, Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), who will do anything to make sure Gilmore doesn’t win a dime.

Right from the opening credits, which is a film-stocked montage of Happy’s early days full of violent hockey rages, the pure absurdity of the comedy is apparent. And the film just continues to double down on its juvenile nature with hilariously crude jokes and slapstick humour that’s as silly as it is entertaining. Sandler’s style of comedy is so consistent throughout his career, and there’s a warm feeling to the viewing experience. You know what to expect and that’s not always a bad thing. But especially earlier on in his filmography, it works as a time capsule of the 90s and the comedic silliness that served as inspirations and foundations for the 2000s comedic stylings of Will Ferrell and The Lonely Island – which is just committing over and above to the bit.

Happy Gilmore is also full of heart – another thing that Sandler’s movies excel in, and is arguably a big reason as to why they withstand the test of time. Despite Happy’s anger fuelled flaws, his heart is in the right place. All he wants to do is win the tournament money so he can get his grandma’s house back. He visits his grandma in the care home she occupies (which is run by the obnoxiously malicious Hal, played by Ben Stiller in an iconic performance) every chance he gets. Watching Happy’s character arc in going from the hot-head, to the compassionate, caring Happy at the end, brings a warm feeling to the viewing experience, and an unexpected heart to the film overall.

But it’s not just Sandler who carries the film, as he utilises a plethora of hilarious comedians and actors to bring the entire world within this story to life. The aforementioned Ben Stiller is a scene stealer as the care home worker who is less caring and more dictator, spouting hilarious quotes in every scene he’s in. Christoper McDonald’s Shooter McGavin and his iconic finger guns are still a staple of golf culture today. And the late, great Carl Weather’s complete commitment to the insanity as Chubbs, balancing the Sandler-esuqe humour and heart within his own performance, is such a fitting piece of the puzzle.

Happy Gilmore is a perfect time-capsule of 90s humour that still holds up to day, not just because it’s hilarious, but because it’s full of heart, like many of Sandler’s great films. The iconic one-liners, absurd jokes, and the creation of a golf swing that is probably banned from most courses around the world, solidify the fact that Happy Gilmore transcended not just being a fun film from the 90s, but a culture phenomenon for all to nostalgically enjoy.