Yeah, Adam Sandler as an ill-tempered ex-hockey player turned bizarre golf sensation is a one-joke premise… but, you have to admit, it’s a pretty good joke. Sandler’s aggressive/obnoxious style of comedy works rather well with this fish-out-of-water tale, even if the rest of the cast (including Christopher McDonald, Julie Bowen, Carl Weathers and even Bob Barker) have little to do but react to his antics, usually with various levels of exasperation. Anyway, Happy Gilmore definitely has a big heart (he’s doing it all to save his Grandma’s house, after all) and the sight (and sound) of Sandler yelling at his golf ball is pretty damn funny. This was the first of many collaborations for Sandler and director Dennis Dugan — they’ve since worked together on Big Daddy (1999), I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007), You Don’t Mess With the Zohan (2008), Grown Ups (2010) and Just Go With It (2011).
