Billy Madison
Release year: 1995
My Rating: ★½ out of 5
Tagline: To inherit his family’s fortune, Billy is going back to school… Way back.
Synopsis: Billy Madison is the 27 year-old son of Bryan Madison, a very rich man who has made his living in the hotel industry. Billy stands to inherit his father’s empire, but only if he can make it through all 12 grades, 2 weeks per grade, to prove that he has what it takes to run the family business.
You know, I had very high expectations going into Billy Madison never having seen it. I have always been a fan of Happy Gilmore and heard people call this one a classic, comparable to said movie. But I really do not understand the hype for this one.
I'll get this out of the way: this movie is very stupid. The plot is stupid, the characters are stupid, everything about it is stupid, and it is intentionally so. I don't think that's what makes me dislike this movie though, because there is another even stupider movie coming up soon that I like way more.
“T-T-T-Today Junior!”
This movie doesn't take itself seriously, and it shouldn't. The best parts of this movie are towards the end that are so ridiculous that you ask yourself "WTF is going on?". But before the movie becomes that asinine, there's a lot of it to get through that wants you to care about it, but I really don't.
This is one of the least likable characters Adam Sandler plays, and that is saying a lot. This movie's success probably set the mold for all the characters that he ends up playing in the future. I think you're supposed to root for him because he is the protagonist, but for the most part he is just a total asshole. And he doesn't really do much to redeem himself by the end. Yeah he's nice to a few kids, but that's enough to get the teacher he kept sexually harassing to like him? I don’t buy it.
I swear this teacher character just decides to embrace the stupidity of the whole premise out of nowhere, and I think it's my biggest problem with the movie. We all know the trope. Guy hits on pretty lady, but lady doesn't like the guy, but guy gets lady in the end because he did something nice to win her over. Except I think they forgot that last part because you don't know why she falls in love with him, and it happens a little over halfway through the movie. What even was the point of that plot line?
This movie does have some really enjoyable moments, and they pretty much all come from the climax with the trivia competition. The movie decides to just have a whole bunch of fun with it, and I'm all for it. We also get a second appearance from Steve Buscemi, and he rocks for the short time he's onscreen. Truly the highlight of the movie for me. I won't spoil the ending, but he made me laugh possibly as hard as I did in the entirety of Sandlerfest.
If Billy Madison was as great as it's last 20 minutes, maybe I would like it as much as Happy Gilmore. But alas, I only like it as much as Happy Gilmore 2.
Even though I am not a fan of this movie, I completely understand the people who are. There are many fun moments, and just because I didn’t really like a movie doesn’t mean I think other people shouldn’t either. I hope when reading other posts that you keep this in mind if my opinion differs! I may look at you funny if you’re a huge fan of Going Overboard though!
