ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 17, 1996 TAG: 9602190115
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
Anyone who really cares about golf should make every effort to avoid "Happy Gilmore."
The film treats golf with thorough disrespect, lampooning everything about it from the clothes to the suburban Zen-like philosophy that some try to attach to the game. And why not? This low-budget comedy is meant for fans of young star Adam Sandler, not fans of Greg Norman.
Sandler plays the title character, a hockey-obsessed young goof who's forced to turn to golf when his beloved grandmother (Frances Bay) is evicted from her home by the IRS. If she doesn't come up with $250,000 in back taxes, they'll sell the place. When Happy learns that his fearsome slapshot can be translated into 400-yard drives with a golf club, he decides to join the pro tour.
Chubbs (Carl Weathers), the club pro who discovers Happy, tries to talk him out of it, but the kid's determined. He manages to get into a tournament and immediately puts himself on the wrong side of Shooter (Christopher MacDonald), the stuffy hotshot professional. Happy's loud, profane exuberance offends purists, but gets big ratings on TV and draws in new uncouth fans.
The other conflicts and their resolution are about what you'd expect. Bob Barker turns in a remarkably lively and funny performance as himself. It's also worth noting that the producers may have set a modern record for product placement. Subway sandwiches, AT&T and Budweiser are the most noticeable, but virtually every frame contains a prominent brand name.
As for the laughs, fans of Sandler's "Billy Madison" will be entertained, and let's face it: Any pursuit that takes itself as seriously as golf deserves the occasional send-up.
Happy Gilmore **1/2
A Universal release playing at the Salem Valley 8 and Valley View 6. 92 min. Rated PG-13 for strong language, comic violence.
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Bob Barker (left) and Adam Sandler duke it out in "Happyby CNBGilmore."