“Billy Madison” enrolls on Hulu and was still ahead of it’s comedy time
It’s hard to believe that “Billy Madison”, Adam Sandler’s first big film complimenting his work on Saturday Night Live, will turn 30 next year, but here we are. And the film, which was just plain bizarre back in 95′, makes a little more comedy sense today.
Adam Sandler is the title character, who must complete all of the grades of school to inherit his dad’s company. The problem is that Billy is an idiot. He also has to deal with Eric, played by a pre West Wing Bradley Whitford who stands to inherit the company if Billy fails. Bridgette Wilson, plays his teacher and eventual girlfriend, who was a scene stealer back in the 90s.
Back in 95′ the comedy was completely nuts. We weren’t used to cutaways, 100 mile away puns, and Sandler’s comedic tone. Now, the movie is still ridiculous but enjoyable because the jokes that didn’t make sense back then are commonplace today. The wrong answer quiz response is now a meme and the actual scene is actually really funny.
It is still really dumb. And while many of it’s jokes are sharper now, it’s completely nuts at times. And Sandler’s later work in the 90s before he just started producing whatever, is much better than Billy Madison. “Happy Gilmore” “The Waterboy” and “Big Daddy” are all better films.
But Billy Madison still warrants a watch, if anything just to fully understand the rise of Sandler’s humor and why he’s still putting out so much work today.
Billy Madison
Grade (1995): F
Grade (2024): C+
What did you think of Billy Madison? Let me know in the comments.
And if you enjoyed this post, please help the blog below. Thank you!