Happy Gilmore 2 Is Way More About Death Than I Was Expecting

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As a film enthusiast, I’ve always found myself leaning towards “Billy Madison” when comparing Adam Sandler’s movies that propelled him to stardom. The chaotic enthusiasm it exudes is simply irresistible – from Sandler’s antics at dodgeball, Steve Buscemi’s morbid lists, and the iconic speech about making everyone in the room intellectually inferior, to the unapologetic anthem of his comedic career. However, I must admit that “Happy Gilmore,” released in 1997, showcased Sandler’s talent for going off the rails more effectively. In this film, he played a character reminiscent of Happy, an outsider disrupting the tranquil world of golf with his raw, unpolished talent.

By the time he started storming the silver screen in the mid-90s, Sandler was already a celebrated cast member on Saturday Night Live. Yet, like Happy Gilmore, he was a broad comedian who often found success without critical acclaim. In “Happy Gilmore,” he portrayed a talented but rough-around-the-edges individual who didn’t know the rules well enough to understand when he was breaking them. This made him a symbol of the common man, a hero who played golf with a hockey stick putter, had frequent tantrums, and yet triumphed in a sport known for its snobbishness and elitism.

In his late 50s and fresh off a second Netflix contract worth approximately $275 million, Sandler is no longer the underdog he once was. This explains why the release of “Happy Gilmore 2” feels so unusual – it’s a film about an outsider who has transitioned into a key figure in the established order, even becoming the chief protector of it. Directed by Kyle Newacheck and co-written by Sandler and frequent collaborator Tim Herlihy, the sequel initially sets Happy as an underdog by killing off his wife, Virginia (played by Julie Bowen), plunging him into grief and then having him lose all his money in a lawsuit. However, when Happy decides to return to golf to fund his daughter’s ballet academy, he is warmly welcomed back, engaging in friendly banter with golf legends like Fred Couples, Sergio García, and Jack Nicklaus, who appear as themselves. Time and financial success can make anyone a part of the mainstream. In “Happy Gilmore 2”, Happy finds himself competing to safeguard the PGA from a startup aiming to modernize golf by making it more thrilling, led by a slick energy-drink CEO named Frank Manatee, brilliantly portrayed by Benny Safdie from “Uncut Gems”. “I can’t believe I’m the one defending tradition,” Happy muses.

If you’re looking for an interpretation of this movie scene in terms of movie production, it can be said that Happy, who plays a dual role as both a threat and a savior in his chosen field, has been transferred to streaming platforms. The issues with Happy Gilmore 2, similar to most Netflix films, are that it appears hastily made, aiming merely to meet expectations. The initial part of the movie, which portrays Happy as an alcoholic single father of five boys and a girl, is more cohesive than the latter. Both sections benefit from the presence of John Daly, who plays a character based on himself living in Happy’s garage, consuming old chicken wings, and getting drunk on hand sanitizer – proving to be an unexpected source of humor. Despite the occasional laughs, the film’s attempts at silliness are overshadowed by a melancholic tone and the specter of death, not just the impending demise of the movie industry.

The film revisits jokes from the original Happy Gilmore, but since several cast members have passed away, it employs new actors to portray the children of characters originally played by actors like Carl Weathers and Joe Flaherty. Adam Sandler remains enthusiastic, although he no longer possesses the same disruptive energy as before. Instead, he focuses on jokes about pain relievers and other necessities for older individuals. The contrast between this contemplative tone and a premise as absurd as that of Happy Gilmore is striking, but it’s difficult to fault Sandler for wanting to reminisce, regardless of the circumstances.

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2025-07-25 23:54