I Rewatched Billy Madison and There's Still a Lot to Love (Despite It Ending Badly)

Billy Madison is a classic Adam Sandler comedy, and while some parts of it aren't the best, the film stands up to most modern comedies. Generally considered to be one of Adam Sandler's highest rated films, Billy Madison is possibly one of the first of his films that I can remember. The viewing probably took place in a friend's basement without my parents knowing, because as some newer Sandler fans may not know, His comedies used to be much raunchier and more adult than his recent selection of family films suggests.

In the film, Sandler plays the titular Billy Madison, a spoiled man-child who, instead of preparing to take over his father's company, spends his days drinking and carousing with his friends. However, it turns out that Billy did not complete elementary school or high school and is sent back to the classroom to collect his diplomas. It's a crazy premise, and thanks to Sandler's hilarious involvement, it works wonders. It was the beginning of my and many others' love affair with Sandler's angry characters, and aside from the odd hiccup in the story, It still makes me laugh all the time.

Billy Madison's plot targeting a Nepo baby hasn't aged well

The villain of the film is a hard-working employee

I don't think the term “nepo baby” was in the conscious mind in 1995, but in the 2020s, when someone as popular as Jamie Lee Curtis is casually noted for being Janet Leigh's daughter, … Billy Madison The plot feels a bit unnerving. Billy is the wealthy offspring of a father whose only requirement for taking over his business is that Billy graduate high school. The film's villain is Eric Gordon (Bradley Whitford), whose crime appears to be working hard for his position and demanding a reward for his years of service to Madison Hotels. Hmm…

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Of course, Eric isn't exactly the nicest guy, but Should we really root for spoiled, lazy Billy? Who can't control their anger despite everything that has been done to them in their life? Even Billy's father, Brian (Brian McGavin), seems content to give away his company to Eric if Billy can't get through school. Eric eventually proves he's a pretty bad guy, but even then Billy Madison Seems to say that even if you work for something, the owner's son comes first.

Billy Madison still has some of the funniest moments in any Sandler film

This is one of the most quotable Sandler films

Despite this somewhat backward characterization between the “hero” Billy and the “villain” Eric, Billy Madison is much more interested in making audiences laugh than presenting a treatise on capitalism, loyalty and fairness. In this context The film holds up incredibly well and there are still dozens of eminently quotable scenes Billy Madison that make me laugh just as much today as they did when I first heard them. It's almost a sorrow that I can't see a swan without muttering under my breath:Stop looking at me, swan.”

The film's overall message of self-improvement remains

Billy Madison works hard to show he's more than just a slacker

Despite the very low stakes of Billy Madison and the absurdity of the characters and the premise, It still has a sweet message about self-improvement. When we meet Billy, he's more or less wasting his life away, spending his days in his pool while everything is taken care of for him. When he is given the last chance to make something of himself, he decides to take it.

There is something that inspires me about Billy's willingness to “stoop” to become better. It's a pretty egoless move on his part and makes the character much more likeable. Billy Madison may have some flaws, but the idea that you can get back on the horse again and again, regardless of age (or temperament), is not one of them.

Directed by Tamra Davis and co-written with Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler, Billy Madison is a 1995 comedy film starring Adam Sandler in the title role. In order to prove himself as a competent heir to a million-dollar fortune, Billy must return to elementary school as an adult and master all 12 grades as quickly as possible.

director

Tamra Davis

Release date

February 10, 1995

Duration

89 minutes

budget

10 million dollars