To bring you back to a Star Pick interview I posted a few months ago, actor James Phelps revealed his favourite film to me as his brother prodded him playfully – here is the entertaining retelling: a self professed history buff, as James spoke of his love of the film The Lives of Others (its engrossing story, fascinating characters and intriguing visuals immediately catching his cinematic eye), Oliver chimed in, with a rascally smile – “It’s also because he is a secret Communist”. . . James firing back, “I wouldn’t go that far” – his own face featuring an impish grin. Capturing the same dynamic found in their most famous roles, the pair are like a vaudeville act, finely tuned, James playing the straight man to Oliver’s more overt comedic personality.
The famed Weasley twins from the Harry Potter franchise, the pair are known the world over as the scampish older brothers of Ron – roles that provided them with many of the best laughs found throughout the eight movies. Having left you hanging a bit longer than you might have liked, I am sure that many of you have probably been wondering just what Oliver chose as his favourite film.
Going the more comedic route, Oliver immediately highlighted the 1996 Adam Sandler classic Happy Gilmore. Why. . . because, perhaps more so than any other film, its combination of outlandish scenario, cheeky writing and spot on performances always gives him a good laugh. . . though he also wanted me to pass along that people should watch both Man on Fire (featuring a strong performance from Denzel Washington) and Forrest Gump, if they haven’t yet done so. Lastly, before I move on, I would like to suggest that you keep your eyes open for him in two upcoming features; firstly, Own Worst Enemy, and secondly, Last Night in Soho – Edgar Wright’s next effort following Baby Driver.
Written by Adam Sandler along with Tim Herlihy (SNL writer and frequent Sandler collaborator) and directed by another frequent Sandler partner, Dennis Dugan, the story follows Happy Gilmore (Sandler), a wannabe hockey player who lacks skating skills but makes up for it with a booming slap-shot and a tough-guy attitude on the ice (proudly porting the record of being the only guy to ever take his skate off and attempt to stab somebody).
After being cut (once again) during the hockey season tryouts, Gilmore gets a call from his beloved grandmother (Frances Bay), who raised him after his father died – as her house is being seized by the IRS. As the moving company removes her belongings from the home Gilmore’s grandfather built, the two workers take some time off to hit some golf balls. The down-on-his-luck hockey player chuckles at their lack of coordination. . . the annoyed employee placing a bet that Happy cannot do better.
Discovering that he has an innate gift for hitting the golf ball a country mile (which humorously hits two neighbours at the end of the street), this leads him to enter an amateur tournament which would give him a chance to qualify for the P.G.A. tour and make the money needed to pay off his grandma’s debt.
Not surprisingly, he wins the tournament despite his lack of talent on the putting greens and qualifies for the tour, yet his gruff attitude and physical hockey style does not suit the more prim and proper stuck up golf world. He especially aggravates top pro, Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald). This leads Gilmore to not only compete for his grandmother’s sake, but also to beat the cocky Shooter.
Packed with lowbrow humour, much it comes from the amazing characters brought to life by the impressive cast. Sandler does a great job as the rough-around-the-edges but likable underdog (a crazy antic never far away), but McDonald is even better as the snooty antagonist who is in the way of Gilmore saving the day. It has been said that McDonald could find the cure for cancer and he would still be known as Shooter McGavin – a true testament to his performance. Bay is superb as Gilmore’s elderly grandmother who is unceremoniously removed from her home for the first time in her life, which puts her in the path of a cruel and abusive orderly (Ben Stiller – pure perfection) in the nursing home she is forced to stay at. He is impressively vicious in that North Americanized Fu Manchu stache. On top of this, we have an early role from Modern Family’s Julie Bowen, playing Virginia Venit – the head of PR for the tour and Gilmore’s love interest. Carl Weathers must also be mentioned. . . playing Gilmore’s golf instructor, who tragically lost his hand to an alligator, he is the man’s rock, slowly forcing him to focus on the game he never wanted to play.
Yet, like many comedies, it is even furthered by those small, cameo-like roles that are less expected (as they are not part of the main credits). Look for excellent spots from former SCTV alum Joe Flaherty as the heckling fan that gets under our hero’s skin, Kevin Nealon (SNL) as a helpful golfer (whose zen attitude clashes with Gilmore’s brashness), Richard Kiel (Jaws from the James Bond franchise) as a physically imposing fan (with a nail in his head) who threatens McGavin, pro golfer Lee Trevino – who is always shaking his head at Gilmore’s lack of golf etiquette, and finally, Bob Barker. . . who may just have the best cameo of all-time (and shockingly, no stunt double). He is deliciously sharp and surprisingly funny (also, look online for Sandler and Barker reprising their roles many years later – the tension is still there). Professional golfer Mark Lye also acted as a consultant, and makes an appearance as a group of golfers (including Gilmore and McGavin) talk about the much desired prize that is the gold jacket.
Yet, like many sports movies or comedies, this motion picture may frustrate viewers towards the end. The climax is far-fetched and pushes things beyond believability – if Gilmore’s unorthodox swing did not already do that. Despite this, Happy Gilmore is an outrageously funny movie from its beginning voice-over narration (which tells of his childhood, his favourite hockey player – Terry O’Reilly, and so much more) to its ‘happy’ ending. Giving the viewer what they want, this is an underdog tale that allows us to root for our protagonist and jeer the villain – much like the crowd does towards the end of the movie – and it makes us laugh out loud in the process. It is one of those sports movies that you can watch every year during the golf season – as it does such a good job at spoofing the sport, and that never gets old. It also features a killer soundtrack – from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kansas, to Gary Glitter and House of Pain, it should have you jumping around. Lastly, for keen eyed viewers, watch for Chubbs wearing Lacoste clothing (a clear inside joke – as its logo is a crocodile, a cousin to the alligator). Happy Gilmore should go down as one of the quintessential golf comedies of all-time. Don’t delay, watch it today, what do you say? Okay!