But everything changed when tragedy struck. During one of his games, Happy’s powerful drive accidentally killed Virginia. Devastated by guilt and grief, he quit golf to focus on raising their five children. The loss also pushed him into alcoholism.
For a long time, Happy disappeared from the spotlight. He lost their home, ran out of money, and now works in a supermarket just to get by. His four sons take on jobs to help support him and their younger sister, Vienna (Sunny Sandler). Vienna dreams of studying ballet, but the tuition is far more than Happy can afford.
One day, Happy is approached by Frank Manatee (Benny Safdie), the flashy CEO of Maxi Energy Drink and the new golf league called Maxi Golf. Frank invites him to play in an upcoming tournament. Happy declines and their meetup ends with Frank swimming with fishes.
But still, the encounter sparks something in him. With support from his kids and encouragement from his tenant, John Daly, he picks up a golf club again for the first time in years.
As Happy returns to the green, he discovers that he still got the powerful drive in his arsenal. But one the major problem keeping him down is his alcoholism. He must find the strength to overcome his addiction and confront his grief head-on if he wants any chance of making a real comeback.
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Happy Gilmore 2 is a risk. For Adam Sandler, at least. It could have ruined the reputation of the film that launched his career, or it could have built on his legacy and opened the door for more Happy Gilmore movies.
Honestly, it seemed like a bad idea to me. It felt like a continuation of his half-joking promise to make terrible films if he didn’t win a Best Actor Oscar for Uncut Gems. And really, who even watches Adam Sandler comedies these days? Probably not many.
Well, the good news is Happy Gilmore 2 didn’t suck. It is actually fun.
Sure, it still has the usual Sandler comedy butt jokes and slapstick bits, but they are toned down. They are not as obnoxious or disgusting. The humor is relaxed. There is no pressure to be funny all the time. It doesn’t beg for your laugh or rub punchlines in your face. It simply tells the story of a single dad with five kids trying to give them a better life.
At its center is the bond between Happy and his daughter Vienna. It would have been funnier if all five kids had big scenes with their dad, but the emotional focus on Happy and Vienna gives the film stability.
The drama in Happy Gilmore 2 is surprisingly consistent. From the very beginning, we see Happy struggling with alcoholism. He hides bottles in a cucumber, inside his smartphone, even in a remote control. Even if it is kind of funny, I appreciate that they played it more seriously.
Moreover, we follow him as he tries to get better by going to therapy, motivated by his love for his children. This leads to several heartfelt moments that I never saw coming. One memorable scene comes during a tournament when Happy sees a vision of his late wife. Mid-game, he hides in the bathroom and then relapses. Afterwards, he faces his kids and admits he messed up. It’s a beautiful showcase of the importance of familial love in healing.
As for the things that concerns me, the film never addressed Happy’s anger issues. He clearly still has them, with multiple outbursts. His sons even show similar behavior. But the film plays it off for laughs and never really addresses it. It feels like they swept it under the rug every time they showed it. I wish that part of the story had more attention, especially with how well the film handled other personal issues.
Now, about the golf. Since this is still a sports movie. Generally, it is fun to watch. But I think it leans too far into cartoonish territory. The original Happy Gilmore balanced humor with a believable underdog sports story. The sequel ramps up the absurdity with the Maxi Tournament. Some moments feel more like sketches than actual scenes. That may be fun for some, but others, like me, find it too much.
Happy Gilmore 2 is not a hole-in-one film, but it avoids the usual Sandler sand trap. Adam Sandler feels comfortable here. He is back in familiar territory, but now with better control and more thought behind the comedy. That shows growth. And it is probably the kind of evolution fans had hoped for.
3/5
