Happy Gilmore

Happy Gilmore



I'm a self confessed Adam Sandler fan. There I said it. Like an embarrassed drunk at an alcoholic's anonymous meeting, I hold my hands up and admit my problem. I don't know what it is, there's just something endearing about his generic, loser with a winner's ability character that I familiarise with. And there's no greater example to typify the formula that keeps Sandler's wallet full than Happy Gilmore.

Gilmore is obsessed with Ice hockey. Every year he tries out for the team, but never qualifies. His one recurring flaw is the fact that he can't - no matter how determined he may be - Skate. The one talent that Happy does possess, however, is an insurmountably hard slap shot.

When his doting grandma's house is being repossessed, the removal men challenge him to hit a golf-ball farther than they can. At first reluctant, it soon transpires that Happy has a natural advantage; He's able to drive the ball 400 yards.

After discovering his skill, he tries to win enough money to save his Grandma's house. With the help of Chubbs Peterson (Carl Wethers) he develops his game and enters a pro-golf competition. There, he meets 'Shooter' McGavin (Chris McDonald).

Shooter instantly hates Happy. He regards him as an atrocity against the good name of golf and quickly becomes his adversary. Using every dirty trick in the book, including having him run-down, Shooter tries to get Happy out of the competition.

The whole film culminates in a winner takes all battle between Shooter and Happy, with grandma's house at stake.

The strength of this film isn't just its great jokes and hilarious characters, it's got a great big heart beating in its centre. Happy is, unwittingly, on a personal quest to find out what makes him truly 'Happy'. He must put aside all his frustrations at not becoming a hockey player and realise who he really is. It's only when his grandma comes to visit him on the course that she puts it plainly to him “I just want you to be happy”.

It's subtext like that that lets you know Sandler isn't simply some idiot with frat-boy jokes to tell. He is a confident writer who has the ability to convey his emotions whilst simultaneously making his audiences laugh out loud. I'm proud to count myself amongst his fans.

Next Week: How Will Ferrell saved my life.

Verdict 10/ 10
A stylised comedy with a strong emotional underlay.