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 Director
: Dennis Dugan
Starring
: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Frances
Bay, Carl Weathers, Allen Covert.
Picture
1.33:1 fullscreen, DD 5.1, Single-Side Dual-Layer, Keep
Case
Running
Time : 92 mins
The
story:
He
doesn't play golf......... he destroys it.
Happy
Gilmore (Adam Sandler) is a bad tempered, failed hockey
player who's lifelong ambition is to become a professional.
He is broke, his girlfriend has left him, his parents are
dead and his grandmothers house has been repossessed by
the IRS for tax evasion. In order to save everything he
must get $270,000 in 90 days. By chance he discovers that
his hockey training has given him the ideal swing for golf
drives and he can hit a 500 yard ball easily. This new found
talent leads to fame and fortune when he is entered on the
Pro tour for golf. Along with his mentor (Carl Weathers)
he must learn the game that he knows nothing about and harness
his talents to win the tour in his own style.
The
summary:
The
most important thing that you can say about this film is
that its funny, very very funny. From the opening moments
to the schamltzy ending it oozes comedy. This was one of
the films that broke Adam Sandler into the big leagues and
for me it is one of his best, which sadly does not paint
a bright picture for some of his newer offerings.
The
film is based upon the premise that "what if"
a foul mouthed, short fused hockey player got into the Golf
pro circuit and works hilariously well. From the moment
that Happy hits a 500 yard shot with his hockey style golf
swing you know that you are in for a real treat. Adam Sandler
handles the role in his now familiar style and makes it
his own with his smart comments and well timed physical
comedy. The supporting cast are also good, with a special
mention for Ben Stiller (Keeping the faith, Meet the Parents,
Friends) in one of his earliest roles and Carl Weathers
(Rocky, Predator) who hams it up superbly as the disabled
golfing pro that sees a future in Happy's unorthodox style.
For me the sequence in which the pro circuit director is
watching a video of Happy is one of the funniest moments
committed to film.
The
DVD is a slightly less Happy affair than the film. Given
a totally odd full screen makeover (Why ? When the Region
2 version has a Widescreen print) and containing "extra's"
that are really just standard offerings the package is let
down immensely. What could have been lifted among comedy
classics has been nestled in with the ordinary. I would
definitely recommend the film and as far as the DVD goes
Region 2 is the way forward with a better overall package.
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